The kingdom of Champa, which flourished from the second to the nineteenth centuries, is by far the least-known of all the great Indianized civilizations of Southeast Asia. Its own history was violent and ultimately tragic, and, as it covered large areas of what is now central and southern Vietnam, access to the region has been difficult for most of the last sixty years. Hindu-Buddhist Art of Vietnam is the first substantial book in English on the art of this remarkable and distinctive civilization. It first provides an overview of Cham history, including references to the many influences from neighboring civilizations that shaped it, including Khmer, Javanese, Srivijaya, Dvaravati, and Chinese. It goes on to illustrate and describe more than a hundred major sculptures at present housed in the National Museum at Dà Nang. Cham art is unmistakable and individualistic, vigorous and even dramatic in its rendering of movement. Mostly carved in sandstone and in high relief, the sculptures represent the main Hindu and Buddhist deities, real and fabulous animals in combative poses, and flying celestial beings and dancers. Richly illustrated with views of the monuments and the superb countryside in which they were built, this book brings to life a brilliant civilization.
