A gold and tumbled crystal 'four-pointed star' ring Khmer, Angkor period, 9th - 13th century | 九至十三世紀 高棉吳哥王朝 金嵌水晶四角星形戒指

The Khmer Empire was a powerful state in Southeast Asia from the 9th to 15th century. At its peak, it controlled present-day Cambodia and large areas of Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos.

Before and during the Khmer Empire, the region was heavily influenced by India. In the later 8th century, the Javanese conquered part of the Pre-Angkorian empire, which greatly influenced the style of ornamentation found in the Angkor period. The Hindu-Buddhist iconography became prominent, as seen in a group of gold rings in the collection.

The most remarkable group of rings in this collection come from the Angkor period. These rings can be stylistically identified by the architectural features mirrored in the goldwork, reminiscent of details found on the friezes of the Angkor Wat temple complex. Their superb craftsmanship and sumptuousness suggests the rings were made for the royal court.

高棉帝國又稱吳哥王朝，九至十五世紀時國力強盛，創造了舉世聞名的吳哥文明。高棉帝國於鼎盛時期的領土範圍覆蓋現柬埔寨、越南、泰國及老撾。

高棉帝國的前身為中國古籍中所稱的國家真臘，真臘深受印度教文化的影響。至八世紀末，真臘被來自爪哇的夏連特拉王朝征服。爪哇文化的引入奠定了高棉吳哥王朝時期的藝術風格。從雪月收藏中的一系列高棉金戒指可見，帶印度教和佛教的圖案紋飾大行其道。

雪月收藏中最引人注目的正為一組九世紀來自吳哥王朝時期的金戒指，當中精品匠心獨妙，雍容華麗，應為宮廷所作。