An antique pre-Angkor seventh century Phnom Da style Khmer sandstone Vishnu torso, the Indic deity of creation. The divine Hindu preserver and protector of human life, a role that provided natural analogies with earthly kingship for the Khmer. The Vishnu is stood samabhanga, wearing a cylindrical miter on his head. One row of curls emerges from under the miter over his forehead, increasing in size down either side of his face. Five rows of long corkscrew curls hang down in back over the nape of his neck. Lush lips, almond shaped eyes and an aquiline nose define his face. Distended earlobes may once have been adorned with real earrings. The Deity is clothed in a 'sampot can spin' and scarf indicated by indented lines. The patterns created by the folded extremities of the scarf or scarves appear to anticipate the more complex patterns that were to become apparent later in this same period. One end of the sampot is passed through the legs and fastened in back with the extremity forming a small fan shape above the waistline. The Vishnu torso has a slender waist, broad hips and shoulders, not as muscular as earlier seventh century Khmer Vishnu images, but is far more graceful. The Vishnu torso is loose mounted on a wood base (later). Scholarly Reference: New York Metropolitan Museum Collection - Accession Number: 1977.241Christie's Auction House - Sale 5080 (November 2003) - COLLECTION DE MR GEORGES HALPHENProvenance: Ex- private US Collection. Provenance: Ex- private USA collection Medium: Stone Dimensions: 43cm/17” General Condition: Good condition. Consistent with age. SCST362 For more beautiful Asian Art please also visit our website - HDAsianArt.com