Stylistic Networks in Early Southeast Asia: Mitred Viṣṇu Sculptures from Bangka

Between the 6th and 14th centuries, Sumatra produced a wide range of Hindu-Buddhist sculptures, yet scholarship has typically interpreted this material through Javanese influence or Indianization. These approaches have shaped the idea of a distinct “Sumatran style,” often without close analysis of the works themselves.

This project re-examines Sumatran sculpture by comparing it directly with material from South and Southeast Asia. It aims to identify both stylistic connections and the extent to which a Sumatran style can be defined. The earliest evidence—the mitred Viṣṇu images from Bangka Island—shows that these sculptures are more closely related to works from Kalimantan (Borneo) and mainland Southeast Asia (Cambodia and Thailand) than to examples from Java or India. At this stage, no clear local Sumatran stylistic features can be identified. These findings challenge long-standing assumptions about Sumatra’s early artistic development and call for a reassessment of how influence and style in the region have been understood.

The Art and Archaeology of Pre-Modern Hindu-Buddhist Southeast Asia Lecture Series

Jointly organized by CSEAS and the SOAS-Alphawood Asian Art Programme, this lecture series invites leading experts to share their latest insights and research on Hindu-Buddhist Southeast Asia.