page_title: Cambodian art
section_title: Stone carving
hierarchical_section_title: Cambodian art / Stone carving
caption_attribution_description: English: Khmer army going to war against the Cham; relief at the Bayon-temple in Angkor, Cambodia (S section, E gallery, late 12th to beginning 13th century) Deutsch: Relief, Kriegszug der Khmer (Bayon) ភាសាខ្មែរ: ចម្លាក់នៅប្រាសាទបាយ័ន តំបន់អង្គរ ខេត្តសៀមរាប បង្ហាញពីចំបាំងរវាងកងទ័ពខ្មែរ និង កងទ័ពចាម។
context_page_description: The history of Cambodian art stretches back centuries to ancient times, but the most famous period is undoubtedly the Khmer art of the Khmer Empire, especially in the area around Angkor and the mainly 12th-century temple-complex of Angkor Wat, initially Hindu and subsequently Buddhist. After the collapse of the empire these and other sites were abandoned and overgrown, allowing much of the era's stone carving and architecture to survive to the present day. Traditional Cambodian arts and crafts include textiles, non-textile weaving, silversmithing, stone carving, lacquerware, ceramics, wat murals, and kite-making.
  Beginning in the mid-20th century, a tradition of modern art began in Cambodia, though in the later 20th century both traditional and modern arts declined for several reasons, including the killing of artists by the Khmer Rouge. The country has experienced a recent artistic revival due to increased support from governments, NGOs, and foreign tourists.
  In pre-colonial Cambodia, art and crafts were generally produced either by rural non-specialists for practical use or by skilled artists producing works for the Royal Palace.
context_section_description: Cambodia's best-known stone carving adorns the temples of Angkor, which are "renowned for the scale, richness and detail of their sculpture". In modern times, however, the art of stone carving became rare, largely because older sculptures survived undamaged for centuries (eliminating the need for replacements) and because of the use of cement molds for modern temple architecture.  By the 1970s and 1980s, the craft of stone carving was nearly lost.
  During the late 20th century, however, efforts to restore Angkor resulted in a new demand for skilled stone carvers to replace missing or damaged pieces, and a new tradition of stone carving is arising to meet this need. Most modern carving is traditional-style, but some carvers are experimenting with contemporary designs.  Interest is also renewing for using stone carving in modern wats.  Modern carvings are typically made from Banteay Meanchey sandstone, though stone from Pursat and Kompong Thom is also used.
caption: Stone bas-relief at Bayon temple depicting the Khmer army at war with the Cham, carved c. 1200 CE
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