A PAIR OF KHMER BRONZE PALANQUIN RINGS Khmer Empire, Angkor period, Bayon Style, 13th-14th century. The lower section with a plain suspension band rising up to Naga and Garuda figures on both sides and terminating with stylized spines of the serpent’s body, the surface with a deep green patina.

These rings were an essential part of the palanquins that were the primary mode of transport for royal and elite people in Khmer society. Palanquin fittings supported a suspended seat, which would have hung on a hook attached to a wooden pole.

Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, casting flaws and incrustations.
Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe.

Weight: 1630 g in total
Dimensions: Height 18 cm

Auction and literature comparison: Compare with a related and complete set of palanquin fittings at Christies, Indian and southeast Asian art including Indian paintings on March 25th, 2004, lot 157, sold for USD 8,365. Also compare with related bronze rings in the collection of THE MET museum, accession number 1993.387.12 and 1994.434.