NARRATOR:
As you can see, this stone sculpture depicting the nine planetary deities was broken at some point and only five of them remain—from left to right: Surya, the sun god, riding on a pair of horses. Chandra, the moon god, seated on a pedestal. Mangala, the god of the planet Mars, sitting on a horned animal, possibly a goat. Buddha, the god of Mercury, sitting on a goose and Brihaspati, the god of Jupiter, astride an elephant.
On the left is a drainage channel, which suggests that this sculpture was created to be worshipped, rather than simply functioning as an architectural piece—it may even have been installed in a separate shrine. The channel would have drained off liquids—such as perfumed water, milk, or liquefied butter—poured over the sculpture during rituals.
A group of nine gods, usually identified as the nine planetary deities, were a popular subject in Cambodian temple art from the 7th to the 13th centuries. Their presence in sacred architecture is obligatory as they were considered to influence human destiny.
Lintel with Devas
late 9th - early 10th century (Angkor period)
Asia: Cambodia
On View
Only five of what would have been a row of nine figures and their celestial mounts remain intact. Known collectively as Navagraha, these planetary divinities were incorporated into both the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons. From left to right they are: Surya the Sun god on a horse-drawn chariot, Chandra the Moon seated upon a pedestal, Mangala (Mars) upon his goat, Budha (Mercury) upon a bird, and Brhaspati (Jupiter) upon an elephant.
Details
- Title: Lintel with Devas
- Date: late 9th - early 10th century (Angkor period)
- Medium: Sandstone
- Dimensions: 17-1/2 x 49 x 11 in. (44.5 x 124.5 x 27.9 cm)
- Credit Line: The Norton Simon Foundation
- Accession Number: F.1975.13.2.S
- Copyright: © The Norton Simon Foundation
Object Information
Where Art Meets Science: Ancient Sculpture from the Hindu-Buddhist World
- Norton Simon Museum, 2011-04-22 to 2011-08-01
The Universe: Creation, Constellations and the Cosmos
- Norton Simon Museum, 2001-02-04 to 2001-06-04
- Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art: Selections from the Norton Simon Museum, fig. 16 pp. 72-73
- Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 3: Art from Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia, 2004, no. 143 pp. 107, 180-181, 186, 198
- Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 1194 p. 381
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