STYLEKhmer Empire, 12th century. The magnificent face showing a serene expression with ridged eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes below the third eye, full lips forming a subtle smile, and long pendulous earlobes. The hair is arranged in a cylindrical chignon carved with a flower at the top and fronted by a foliate tiara.Provenance: From an old French private collection.Condition: Very good condition commensurate with age, extensive weathering, wear, some losses and fine natural patina.French Export License: French certificat d'exportation pour un bien culturel, no. 210828, dated 22 August 2019, has been granted and is accompanying this lot.Weight: 3,659 g (incl. stand)Dimensions: Height 29.5 cm (incl. stand) and 21 cm (excl. stand)Mounted on an associated metal stand. (2)This piece dates from the Angkor Wat period, in the twelfth century, when the Khmer Empire was at its territorial zenith. This starts with the reign of Suryavarman II (1113-1145), who ordered the construction of Angkor Wat, the largest temple of the Angkor period, dedicated to Vishnu. The third eye on this sandstone head, however, clearly indicates that it depicts Lord Shiva.Stylistically, the sculpture of the Angkor Wat period is marked by a return to the somewhat angular and upright modeling of the periods preceding the Baphuon style of the eleventh century. The size of sculpture from the Angkor Wat period, however, is generally in line with the more diminutive Baphuon period works, in contrast to the monumental sculpture of the tenth century and earlier.Auction result comparison: Compare with a slightly later and larger head of Shiva or Avalokiteshvara, Bayon style, at Bonhams Sydney in Fairwater: The Collection of Sir Warwick and Lady Fairfax AC OBE on 22 September 2019, lot 68, sold for AUD 231,800, as well as a figure of a male deity in the Angkor Wat style at Christie's New York in Lacquer, Jade, Bronze, Ink: The Irving Collection Day Sale on 21 March 2019, lot 1107, sold for USD 212,500.