Antique Khmer Style Phnom Bronze Kulen Vishnu Statue - Protector & Preserver - 58cm/23"

Antique Phnom Kulen Style Bronze Hari Hari or Vishnu Statue - 58cm/23"

Measures (Height) 58cm/23"

An antique Phnom Kulen–style bronze Harihara or Vishnu statue.

This powerful bronze sculpture depicts Vishnu as Harihara, the great protector and preserver of the universe, revered as the restorer of moral order and an all‑pervasive, all‑powerful presence. The style corresponds to the early Phnom Kulen period of the first half of the 9th century, during the reign of Jayavarman II, and marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Khmer artistic imagery, anticipating the more fully developed forms of classic Angkorian art.

The figure’s elegant, upright silhouette conveys vigour, force and divine authority. The face is large and composed, with a continuous, assertive eyebrow line that accentuates the calm intensity of his gaze, while the neatly defined moustache adds to the distinctly early Khmer character of the image. In his lower left hand, Vishnu holds his gada or mace, symbolising both mental and physical strength, the power to protect the cosmos and uphold dharma.

Delicately cast in bronze and now mounted on a later wooden base, this Phnom Kulen–style Vishnu presents a striking blend of spiritual gravitas and early Khmer refinement—a traditional yet distinctive piece that would make a compelling focal point in any serious collection of Southeast Asian art.