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Elongate Salle with triangular Pediment: Koh Ker

Keywords : Koh Ker, Yasovarman, Prasat Koh Ker, Jayavarman IV, Devaraja

Site common namePrasat Koh Ker
Type of artworkArchitecture
Province/CityKoh Ker
CountryCambodia
Geographic Coordinates
Decimal degree		Lat : 13.782778
Long : 104.537222

History of productionKing Jayavarman IV shifted his capital to Koh Ker after the death of Yaśovarman. He ignored the reign of the weak successors who still ruled at Angkor. He ordered to construct Prasat Thom at Koh Ker as the temple of enshrining the royal Śivalinga in accordance with the Devarājā cult, emphasizing his political power which was unparalleled.
ArtThe elongate hall at Koh Ker is made of stone topped by the already-lost timber-and-tiled roof. The front triangular pediment is the imitation of the wooden structure whereas the end of the gable is decorated with the scrollwork inspired from the trunk of Makara. This kind of pediment has been popular not only in Koh Ker period but also in Banteay Srei and Baphoun periods. Banteay Srei and Preah Vihear temples are the prime example for this kind of pediment. Interestingly, the holes visible at the edge of the gable were meant for supporting the already-lost wooden beams of the roof structure.
PeriodHistorical Period
Art periodKoh Ker
Age10th Century A.D.
ReligionBrahmanism-Hinduism
SectShaivite

Type of LicenseAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND)
RightsPrincess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Date of record creation2015-02-00
Record creatorChedha Tingsanchali