|
Wood
Cambodia has always been and still is a land with forests
and therefore having a very old tradition of woodwork. Wood
and bamboo were used for houses and monks’ dwellings and
even palaces were in wood. It was also used for certain
roofs, ceilings and structures such as pavilions.
Of course, due to the tropical climate, wooden structures
have virtually disappeared but we can still gain a good idea
of them from observing stone doorways and balusters carved
in imitation of wood.
The joins of these doors and windows are those of the wood
carver not the stone mason.
Bricks
The earliest temples were in brick because clay is easy to
use and has been one of the first materials ever used by men
all over the world.
We will observe that they were bounded with vegetable
compounds and not by mortar. The result is an almost
invisible join and of great strength. Unfortunately the
joins were not necessarily alternate. Instead vertical joins
were laid one on top of the other creating an inherent
weakness in the structure which led to displacement where
later trees vine roots could easily lodge and prise the
structures apart.
Sometimes the façade has been directly carved as displayed
at his best at Isanapura and Prasat Kravan but more normally
however decoration was in stucco.
|
