Head of Lokeshvara

Traces of black lacquer on the stone’s surface remain from when the head was probably refashioned into another image, likely reused for other Buddhist groups who became influential in the post-Angkorian period whose main focus was the historical Buddha rather than Lokeshvara. The lacquer, however, preserved the stone carving beneath, and it shows how the face of the bas-relief of the ten-armed Lokeshvara from Banteay Chhmar would have looked, had it not become eroded by exposure to the elements. The downcast eyes have a compassionate and meditative gaze, while the mouth smiles gently in the confidence of the power of his mercy. The small figure of a seated Buddha in front of the topknot of hair confirms his identity as Lokeshvara.