35ST.18 28SP

 

18. Pier and central temple of Royal Pond of the Srah Srang:

The ad hoc group of experts notes with satisfaction the resumption of work on the pier of the Srah Srang Royal Pond and the enhancement of its surroundings, in particular by new plantations, as well as the reassembly of the small central temple in this Royal Pond. They propose:
a) regarding the pier: the work must be continued with the aim of complete harmonization of new and old structures. It is therefore proposed to patinate the new stones so that they are less conspicuous. The principles adopted in the Angkor Charter and in all international charters apply to stones whose facings were carved and which have to be replaced for structural reasons. The new carved stones must remain visible to a discerning eye while restoring the monument to a uniform vision. In this case, the decoration carved on these new stones must not reproduce the original sculpture and thus constitute a fake, but reflect it in its main shapes and be given a lower level of finish. The remaking and dating of the carved works already completed therefore appears necessary
b) regarding the central islet: the group of experts also wants a better integration of new stones with a treatment of identical appearance on all of them. They draw the attention of the teams of restorers to the need to perfectly seal, insert and repoint the old stones that are often eroded and which shape the top of the structure to avoid any water infiltration that would ruin the whole monument.