Khmer Bronze Elephant Bells

Centuries ago, a brilliant civilization flourished in the valleys and plains of what is now Cambodia. The Khmer culture created a remarkable artistic legacy, boldly expressive in form yet delicate in its sensibility. The most famous Khmer monument is the vast temple complex at Angkor Wat, but works in bronze are equally remarkable in their power. Khmer art depicting armies on the march shows images of elephants carrying the king or nobility into battle. Bells such as this hung from the elephant’s saddle, ringing as the animal moved. Massive, yet elegant in their simplicity, these bells may well have adorned a royal elephant. Even silent, they suggest timeless power and privilege.