Cambodia & Culture: The Soum family, talented goldsmiths and royal lineage

Their copper and silver sculptures are among the best known in the country, such as the statue of the supreme patriarch Chuon Nath, the royal tiered parasols Chatra, the Sakyamuni stupa on Phnom Oudong hill, also known as Phnom Preah Reach Troap, and the logos of the Ministry of the Interior and the Cambodian People's Party.

The late Soum Sinoeum in his studio in Phnom Penh before his death in 2019. Photograph supplied

These are all luxurious sculptures featuring astonishing details, but despite the popularity of their work, the public does not really know the faces and names of the Soum family.

Working with copper, silver, and gold has been a family business for three generations in Soum Sira's family, which now has 12 employees, all skilled artisans who learned from his father and grandfather.

Sira inherited the business from his father, Soum Sinoeum, a former sculpture teacher who passed away in 2019 at the age of 58 after more than 30 years in the business. His grandfather, Soum Samay, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 88, was a descendant of the royal family during the reign of King Sisowath.

Having studied under his father from an early age, Sira, now 33, shows as much talent as his father and grandfather before him.

Sira traces the history of the business, explaining that his grandfather was the founder of the visual arts faculty at the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA):

“He was formerly a civil servant at the Royal Palace and was skilled in copper, silver, and gold. At the request of students at the time, he set up a workshop at the university to teach precious metal sculpture. Later, he asked the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to introduce a full visual arts department.”

Sira's father was the former director of the library and professor of metal sculpture at the secondary school of fine arts.

Soum Sinoeum poses with one of his works of art. Photo supplied

Although his work is not well marketed, he does not complain.

"Supporting my family as a goldsmith is not a problem. We live quite decently, without any problems. Today, we don't have enough time to finish our work because there are so many orders coming in. Most of our customers have been with the company since my grandfather's time, and we have an excellent reputation. We receive orders from the country's top leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, Interior Minister Sar Kheng, and senior officials from almost every institution," he says.

“Small sculptures take at least a week, but on average, a month to six weeks. Some large pieces can take three or four months. Prices start at around $800. We usually charge per square meter, but it also depends on the level of detail the customer requires. If they need ornate flowers or complex replicas, we charge accordingly,” he adds.

Illustrious family

His grandfather was originally named Nol, or Prince Nol. Born in 1923, he was the only son of King Sisowath and Princess Khieu Van Cheaneadka. Later, his mother chose to live outside the palace and he studied at DUDA in Lacre and Wat Saravan Techo in Phnom Penh.

At the age of 14, his grandfather studied woodcarving and was one of the first students at the School of Fine Arts, with George Groslier as the school's director. At the age of 18, it was time to take the exam, but he did not have the required documents. His mother asked a certain Soum for help in registering him with the civil registry. He took the man's surname, with the first name Samay.

Soum Samay finished the exam in first place and was congratulated by the French governor general of Indochina, who awarded him a medal. At the age of 20, he married Nov Nem. They had 19 children, 13 boys and 6 girls.

Before the Khmer Rouge period, Samay held various positions within the state, including president of the Traditional National Festival Committee, the Commemoration Ceremony, the Veal Preah Meru Committee, and the Sakyamuni Stupa Construction Committee.

He was also vice president of the Khmer Business Association and the National Heritage Inspection Committee.

After 1979, he became a professor at the Faculty of Visual Arts. In addition, he was honored by the king and received the title of “Broser Hattha Chamnan” as a craftsman of the crown of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.

Pann Rethea with our partner The Phnom Penh Post