The Teardrop Locket: Khmer Jewelry and Royal Power

In this episode of The Khmer Empire series, Lucas and Luna explore the exquisite world of Khmer jewelry, focusing on the iconic teardrop-shaped locket known as the "koun " and its role in royal symbolism. They discuss the materials—gold, rock crystal, carnelian—and techniques like granulation and filigree evident in pieces from the 9th to 15th centuries. The conversation touches on the 2017 discovery of a jewelry hoard at the temple of Banteay Chhmar, the links to trade with China and India, and how jewelry served as markers of rank, religious offering, and personal adornment. Lucas explains the symbolism of the locket's shape, possibly representing a lotus bud or teardrop, and mentions the famous Angkorian earrings called "chhoem" worn by apsaras. The episode also highlights the French explorer Étienne Aymonier's early documentation and the work of the Angkorian Jewelry Project. #KhmerJewelry #AngkorGold #BanteayChhmar #TienneAymonier #Kounn #Chhoem #AngkorianCraftsmen #Granulation #Filigree #RockCrystal #Carnelian #AngkorEmpire #SoutheastAsianArt #LucasAndLuna #FexingoHistory #History #Archaeology #AncientJewelry #KhmerEmpire #AngkorWat Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo