Khmer Mucalinda Seated Buddha Atop An Iron base

This sculpture depicts the Buddha in deep meditation, sheltered by the multi-headed serpent king, Mucalinda. Rooted in ancient Indian lore, the imagery illustrates a legendary episode following the Buddha’s enlightenment: when a cataclysmic rainstorm threatened to flood the earth, Mucalinda emerged from the subterranean realm, coiling beneath the Buddha to elevate him and unfurling his massive hood as a protective canopy. While the narrative originated in India, it reached its artistic and theological zenith in Cambodia under the Khmer Empire. During the late 12th-century Bayon style, under the devout King Jayavarman VII, this motif was elevated to a powerful state cult, transforming the image into a ubiquitous symbol of spiritual resilience and divine protection.

Beyond its religious narrative, the sculpture served as a potent emblem of royal authority and earthly prosperity. In Khmer mythology, the naga (serpent) was an ancestral deity intricately linked to the origins of the royal lineage; merging the Buddha with the serpent reinforced the cosmic legitimacy of the Khmer kings. Furthermore, as spirits of the waters, nagas controlled the monsoons critical to Southeast Asian agriculture. The imagery thus mirrored King Jayavarman VII’s own extensive state initiatives in water management and irrigation, positioning the ruler as a provider of both spiritual salvation and physical abundance for his kingdom.

Antique one of a kind piece. Originate from Cambodia. Khmer Empire

Dimensions: 11.5″ x 13″ x 35.5″ ( 30″ the stone sculpture part)

Antique piece. Sell in used, pre-owned condition. Vintage and antique items by nature have variable amounts of wear, imperfections, signs of use, age and time. Perfectly imperfect. Condition shown as in pictures. Kindly contact us if you need more info. or detail pictures.

Due to the size and/ or the delicate situation of the item. Please contact us for more details about picking up /shipping options.