Khmer Artifacts in the Maha Viravong National Museum

Probably the smallest national museum in Thailand, the Maha Viravong National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติมหาวีรวงศ์) occupies one little room on the grounds of Wat Suttha Chinda in central Khorat city, 350 meters south of the Thao Suranari Monument.

Most of the artifacts come from the private collection of Somdej Phra Maha Viravong (Oun Tisso), the temple’s former abbot. And since they were generally just given to him by locals, most of the Khmer antiquities are “providence unknown.” In 1927 he passed everything onto the Fine Arts Department, which put it on display here, along with some other objects, in 1954.

As of November 2018, these are all the Khmer artifacts from a known temple ruin on display.

Prang Ku Krathin (ปรางค์คืกระถิน) – Amphoe Non Sung, Nakhon Ratchasima

armless and legless dvarapala statue from Prang Krathin Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Dvarapala – 11th to 12th century

Prang Phakho (ปรางค์พะโค) – Amphoe Chok Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima

rishi antefix from Prang Phakho Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Stone antefix with a rishi – 11th to 12th century

Prasat Hin Non Ku (ปราสาทหินโนนกู่) – Amphoe Sung Noen, Nakhon Ratchasima

yaksha statue from Prasat Hin Nong Ku Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Yaksha – 11th to 12th century

Prasat Phanom Rung (ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง) – Amphoe Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram

handless devi statue from Phanom Rung Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Devi goddess – 13th century

headless and armless bodies of devi goddess and male figure from Phanom Rung Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Devi goddess/Male figure – 13th/11th to 12th century

armless vishnu statue from Phanom Rung Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Vishnu – 11th century

naga head statue from Phanom Rung Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Naga head – 12th century

Prasat Hin Phanom Wan (ปราสาทหินพนมวัน) – Amphoe Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima

hand from statue from Phanom Wan Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Hand of Hindu god – 11th to 13th century

Prasat Muang Khaek (ปราสาทเมืองแขก) – Amphoe Sung Noen, Nakhon Ratchasima

close-up of inscription stone from Muang Khaek Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Door frame inscriptions – 11th century

three inscription stones from Muang Khaek Khmer ruin at Maha Viravong National Museum — Door frame inscriptions – 11th century

Details – 9am-4pm Wed-Sun, 50/10B foreigners/Thais, 044-242958
Location – Wat Suttha Chinda, Rajadamnern Rd., Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

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