Metropolitan Museum of Art returning Khmer artefacts
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced that it’s preparing to return two sculptures to Thailand and 14 to Cambodia, as part of an agreement between the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the museum.
The sculptures were associated with Douglas Latchford, a dealer who was indicted in 2019 for illegally selling antiquities. The museum wrote in a statement that following news of the indictment, they “proactively” reached out to the US Attorney’s Office and Cambodian officials regarding the matter.
“Through this cooperative partnership, the Museum received new information about the sculptures that made it clear that the works should be transferred,” they said in a press release.
“The Museum is continuing to review its collection of Khmer art and will be exchanging information on sculptures with officials in Cambodia and Thailand as part of that ongoing research.”
Max Hollein, the Museum’s Director and Chief Executive Officer, said the Met greatly valued the “open dialogue” with officials from Thailand and Cambodia.
“We are committed to pursuing partnerships and collaborations with our colleagues there that will advance the world’s understanding and appreciation of Khmer art, and we look forward to embarking on this new chapter together.”
All 16 items are Khmer artefacts created in the Angkorian period between the 9th and 14 centuries and include sandstone statues from the Koh Ker archaeological site. The museum will temporarily display them until arrangements are made for their repatriation.
