La statue du « roi-danseur » de Koh Ker (Cambodge, Xe s.). des histoires extraordinaires et des terribles méfaits qui décidèrent de sa restauration

A rare 10th-century statue of the 'dancing king' from Koh Ker, Cambodia, reveals extraordinary insights into the political and religious dynamics of the ancient Lingapura kingdom. The statue, discovered in a remote temple complex, depicts King Jayavarman V performing a ritual dance, offering unprecedented visual evidence of the fusion between Hindu-Brahmanical traditions and indigenous Cambodian practices. Through meticulous analysis of the statue's iconography, craftsmanship, and historical context, this study deciphers its significance as both a religious artifact and a symbol of royal authority. The research also sheds light on the tragic circumstances surrounding the statue's discovery—looted during illicit excavations—and the subsequent efforts to restore it, underscoring the ethical challenges in preserving such heritage amid political turmoil.

Bourdonneau, É. (2020). La statue du « roi-danseur » de Koh Ker (Cambodge, Xe s.). des histoires extraordinaires et des terribles méfaits qui décidèrent de sa restauration. Comptes-Rendus Des Séances de L Année - Académie Des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, 164(1), 15–51. https://doi.org/10.3406/crai.2020.97000