France, Feb. 8 -- The West Mebon Vishnu, one of the largest bronzes found at Cambodia's Angkor archaeological site, is being restored at alaboratory in western France.

The 11th century statue, part of the collection of the National Museum of Cambodia, depicts theHindugod Vishnu reclining on the ocean of eternity. It was discovered in 1936 by French archaeologist Maurice Glaize, then the curator ofCambodia'sAngkor archaeological site.

In May 2024, the statue arrived in France for technical studies and last November was taken to a laboratory inNantes for restoration.Cleaning and conservation

In a room at theArc'Antique laboratory, the statue sits on a cart. Originally more than five metres tall, only the upper part of the statue remains ...