From April 30 to September 8, 2025, the Guimet presents “Royal Bronzes of Angkor, an Art of the Divine,” a major exhibition exploring 1,200 years of Khmer bronzes, restored and presented for the first time in France.
The National Museum of Asian Arts – Guimet is dedicating a major exhibition to ancient and contemporary Khmer bronze art for the first time. “ Royal Bronzes of Angkor, an Art of the Divine ” brings together more than 240 works, including 126 exceptional loans from the National Museum of Cambodia, restored in 2024 thanks to the patronage of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) . From sacred metallurgy of the 9th century to recent creations inspired by the Angkorian tradition, this exhibition explores the unbreakable link between royal power, spirituality and craftsmanship.
Context and genesis of the exhibition
Partnership and restoration
Born from an unprecedented cooperation between the Guimet Museum and the National Museum of Cambodia , the exhibition benefited from the scientific support of the Centre for Research and Restoration of French Museums (C2RMF) and the patronage of ALIPH , which financed the meticulous restoration of emblematic pieces in 2024.
Curatorship and publication
Curated by Pierre Baptiste (Guimet Museum), David Bourgarit (C2RMF), Brice Vincent (French School of the Far East) and Thierry Zéphir (Guimet Museum), the exhibition is accompanied by a detailed catalogue published by In Fine.
A chronological journey
From the Western Mebon Sanctuary to the Royal Court
The earliest works, dating from the 9th–11th centuries, were primarily votive statues for the Hindu and Buddhist temples of Angkor. Under Jayavarman VII (12th century), bronze became a vehicle for divine power: statues of Buddhas protected by nāga or bronze Bodhisattvas proliferated in sanctuaries.
Metallurgy and technical innovation
Khmer artisans mastered advanced lost-wax casting techniques, allowing them to create bronzes of perfect thickness and fine detail, as evidenced by studies conducted by the C2RMF.
Restored masterpieces
The Reclining Vishnu of the Western Mebon
The highlight of the exhibition, the monumental statue of the reclining Vishnu (originally over five meters tall) was returned to Paris after a scientific restoration campaign in 2024. An entire room is dedicated to its history, from its discovery in 1936 to its restoration.
Gatekeepers and Secondary Deities
Among other major pieces, armed dvarapalas (gatekeepers) and secondary deities in gilded bronze illustrate the iconographic diversity of Angkorian art.
Scenography and mediation
An immersive museography
The tour, organized chronologically, presents the bronzes against dark backgrounds, accentuating their sacred presence. Interactive signs and video reconstructions immerse the visitor in the heart of the Angkorian workshops.
Workshops, podcasts and meetings
The Guimet Museum offers bronze casting workshops, guided tours, and a four-part podcast, "Behind the Scenes of a Restoration," giving the floor to restorers and curators.
Heritage and universal issues
Protection of Cambodian heritage
This exhibition marks a turning point in the promotion of Cambodian treasures in exile: ALIPH's mobilization demonstrates the challenges of conservation in the face of conflicts and illicit trafficking.
Dialogue between traditions and contemporary creations
A final section presents current bronze creations inspired by ancestral techniques, highlighting the vitality of a living art in perpetual reinterpretation.
Impact and perspectives
International influence
By bringing these bronzes together for the first time in Paris, the Guimet Museum is strengthening global recognition of Khmer art and its role in the history of sacred metallurgy.
Towards new collaborations
The critical and public success of the exhibition paves the way for future loans and partnerships between European and Cambodian museums, consolidating a transnational conservation network.