Pre-Angkorian styles

There exist only a few fine examples of Pre-Angkorian art. This period marks the beginnings of the Khmer world, in which a distinct personality gradually affirms itself, while globally remaining under foreign influences.

The belief in the cult of the 'god-king', do not as yet exist. Nevertheless, the art of this period lays down the basis for sculptural symbolism, and inaugurates architectural forms which will be reused and later improved upon. Pre-Angkorian statuary witnesses an Indian influence, but anatomical representation is less dramatic. Sculptors used a support arch for figurative representations with many arms. Stone sculpture is characterized by its delicacy of execution, as well as its respect for plastic and anatomical form.