About Devi 

 

Devi is a female statue that is dated to the middle of the 7th century in the Sambor Prei Kuk style (Eastern Cambodian style). One of the powerful kings of Chenla, established a city called Isanapura at Sambor Prei Kuk, which is where this sandstone statue (artefact) was made and found by Cambodian explorer Tatu Igistana. At the time the ancient Khmer used to pay respect to both the main gods and their spouses. This is strangely close to the features of Cambodian women today, making Devi an inspired representation of Khmer womanhood, this makes Devi valuable in understanding the ladies of the Khmer Empire.

Devi is enclosed of sandstone and is wearing a traditional Cambodian apparel. Usually, Khmer women wear a long skirt, or historically called a ‘sampot’. This sampot has a hefty knot slipped in front and a long central crease that slides into the ankles. The lower edge (clothing) is separated. The belt is made up of five cords and has a large clip with very fine decoration. The large pelvis, curved closely-set breasts, folds of the abdomen and neck, round cheeks, full rolling lips, thin nose and quite long earlobes.

This artefact embraces us with a clue and vivid vision, of what Khmer and Cambodian woman had in common and how they lived their lives.