Cambodia, Angkor, 10th century / 900s
Head of a Follower of Shiva
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Head of a Follower of Shiva as sculpture (Cambodia, Angkor, 10th century · 900s).
The third eye on the forehead is a symbol of enlightenment.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as sandstone.
The museum's collection notes: Khmer patrons and artists produced works of art that could depict either a deified king or a god who has royal attributes. The Khmer cult of the god-king allowed for such fluidity of interpretation. Presence of a third eye in the forehead and matted locks of hair are attributes both of the Hindu god Shiva and the followers who emulated him in order to get closer to him.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtHead of a Follower of ShivaOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.