This statue of a female deity in Gallery E of the Angkor National Museum

This statue of a female deity in Gallery E of the Angkor National Museum is a rarity in Khmer art. It’s a sandstone sculpture of a divinity named Hariti, a mythical female goddess sitting and cradling a child on her left knee. It bears a resemblance to the better-known sculpture of Shiva and Uma, but it’s very different. This was discovered in the entrance gopura at Prasat East Mebon in the mid-1930s when the Angkor temple was cleared and restored by Henri Marchal and Maurice Glaize. It was kept at the Angkor Conservation depot before its transfer to the Angkor museum in 2007. It’s dated to the era of King Jayavarman VII and the popularity of Mahayana Buddhism at that time, with Hariti known for her protection of children, fertility and motherhood. Sadly, Hariti has lost her head which means we don’t know what she looks like but we do know sculptures of a mother and child are hard to find in Khmer art. Hariti is seated with her right leg rising, she’s topless with large breasts, wearing a necklace and an intricately decorated long skirt covering both legs. Her right hand is palm up on her lap and her left hand holding the child, who is decorated with necklace, bangles, ear pendants and stylish hair. Both arms and feet face forward and there is a round object in the right hand. Hariti wasn’t always regarded so warmly, and in an earlier incarnation was seen as a demonic goddess, known as a Yakshini, before seeing the light through the teachings of Buddha and becoming a revered Mother Goddess. I am aware of two more complete Hariti sculptures, one of which was recently found at Koh Ker, and another which is a newish arrival at the National Museum but not yet on display.