It is the local sculpture and hand-made handicraft in Banteay Meanchey. It is geographically located about 24 kilometers, and it takes time for about 48 minutes or so, from Provincial Town. Location: Road No.6, Chuncheang Village, Phnom Chungcheang Commune, Preahnet Preah District.
Even in the pre-Angkorian era, the periods generally referred to as Funan and Chenla, the people of Cambodia were producing masterfully sensuous sculpture that was more than a mere copy of the Indian forms it was modeled on. Some scholars maintain that the Cambodian forms are unrivalled in India itself. The earliest surviving Cambodian sculpture dates from the 6thcentury AD. Most of it depicts Vishnu-God with four or eight arms, which are displayed at the national museum. Also on display at the national museum is a statue of Hari-Hara from the era of the 7th century AD, a divinity who combines aspects of both Vishnu and Shiva, but looks more than a little Egyptian. The Banteay Srei style of a late 10th century is commonly regarded as a high point in the evolution of South-east Asia Art. The national museum has a splendid piece from this period a sandstone statue of Shiva holding Uma, his wife on his knee. The Baphuon style of the 11th century was inspired to a certain extent by the sculpture of Banteay Srei, producing some of the finest works to have survived today. The statuary of Angkor Wat period it left to be conservative and stilted, lacking the grace of earlier work. The genius of this period manifests itself more clearly in the architecture and fabulous bas-reliefs. The final high point in Angkorian sculpture is the Bayon period from the end of 12th century to the beginning 13th century. In the national museum, look for the superb representation of Jayavarman VII, an image that simultaneously projects great power and sublime tranquility. Cambodian sculptors are re-discovering their skills, now there is a ready market among the tourists; both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are excellent places to buy reproduction stone carvings of famous statues and busts from the time of Angkor.
With a tradition of craftsmanship that produced the temple of Angkor, it is hardly surprising to find that even today Khmer produce exquisitely carved silver, wood, stone. Many of the designs hark back to those of the Angkorian period and are tasteful objects of art. Pottery is also an industry with a long history in Cambodia, and there are many ancient kiln sites scattered throughout the country. Designs range from the extremely simple, to much more intricate; drinking cups carved in the image of elephants, tea-pots carved in the image of birds and jars carved in the image of Gods.
Ang Trapeang Thmor | Banteay Chhmar Temple | Banteay Neang Temple | Banteay Torp Temple | Cheung Krouh Temple | Kang Va Basin Reservoir | Laang Phnom Touch | Phnom Bak & Phnom Chenh Chiang | Phnom Chuncheang | Phnom Svay | Tra Peang Thmor | Weaving Handicraft