https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/24/arts ... ities.htmlCambodia Says the Met Museum Has Dozens of Its Looted Antiquities
The country’s culture minister cites new evidence, including the account of a reformed looter, to assert that numerous artifacts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art were stolen from ancient sites.
By Tom Mashberg
Oct. 24, 2021Updated 5:29 p.m. ET
Cambodia has begun to press the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan to document how it acquired dozens of Khmer Empire antiquities that Cambodian officials, citing new evidence, believe were looted during the country’s decades of war and tumult.
Although Cambodia has pushed the Met and other museums in recent years for the return of individual statues and sculptures it says were pillaged between 1970 and 2000, this effort is far broader. Cambodian officials said they have developed a spreadsheet of 45 “highly significant” items at the Met that the evidence suggests were stolen before being donated or sold to the museum.
Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has previously assisted Cambodia in recovering illicit antiquities, met with museum staff members last week to request they review the provenance of a number of the items, Cambodian officials said.
Federal officials declined to comment on any discussion with the museum’s staff, and the Met would not address the specifics of what Cambodian officials are describing as a rigorous new effort to reclaim their cultural heritage.
The Met said in a statement that it was following its “long and well-documented history of responding to claims regarding works of art, restituting objects where appropriate.”
It suggested it had begun to “proactively” research its collection independent of the Cambodian request.
“Recently, in light of new information on some pieces in our collection, we reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s office — to volunteer that we are happy to cooperate with any inquiry,” the statement said.
The scope of the Cambodian initiative, according to those directing it, is fueled by years of expanded legal investigation and archaeological research and by the disclosures of a former temple looter who admits to organizing the plunder of dozens of Khmer shrines from the 1970s to the 1990s.
That man, whom Cambodian officials refer to only as “Lion,” has spent two years escorting officials to dozens of remote sites where, Cambodians say, he and his gang systematically uprooted and carted away for sale massive stone statuary, intricate bronze sculptures and ceramic burial jars filled with royal gold and jewels. Most of those items, the former looter said, were sold through brokers in Thailand.
Cambodia’s culture minister, Phoeurng Sackona, said the former looter’s information was critical to identifying the 45 Met items that officials have focused on. They have also inspected the dates of the museum’s acquisitions and physical evidence like chiseled stands and broken remnants found at the original sites. Of the 45 artifacts, she said, “Lion” recognized 33 as items he removed himself and another 11 as matching the appearance of statues stolen by others.
The artifacts were acquired by the Met between the years 1977 and 2003, according to the research by Cambodian officials.
“It surprises me and disappoints me that there are so many statues of ours in the Met,” the culture minister said, adding: “We want to see the truth come out, we want to see all the facts come out about this. We want them all returned.”
In addition to the 45 items listed on the spreadsheet, Cambodian officials said they had questions about roughly 150 other artifacts in the Met’s collections that left Cambodia between 1970 and 2000, three decades during which the nation was torn apart by war, genocide and political upheaval.
In July, the U.S. attorney embraced the credibility of “Lion” when prosecutors cited him in court papers connected to the return of a Khmer statue, “Skanda on a Peacock,” which he says he looted. An unidentified private owner voluntarily handed over that artifact, according to a Justice Department news release that identified “Lion” as Looter 1.
A conscript for the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, “Lion” is now in his early 60s and diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, officials say. In explaining the former looter’s rationale for helping the government now, a Cambodian official said “Lion” had expressed remorse.
“I want the gods to come home now,” the official, a translator who spoke often with “Lion,” quoted him as saying.
The Met’s policies on the acquisition of archaeological material have long emphasized the need for credible provenance documents showing that the item either left its country of origin before 1970 or “was legally exported from its probable country of modern discovery after 1970.” The collections policy, most recently updated in March, embraces the museum’s responsibility to promptly investigate information that casts doubt on the legitimacy of its ownership and, if warranted, return the work.
In the last decade, the Met and a few American museums have returned other Khmer items based on evidence of looting. In 2013, the Met returned two giant statues known as “Kneeling Attendants” after two of its curators visited a pillaged site called Koh Ker. At the time, the Cambodian government applauded the ethical standards and professionalism of the museum.
As was the case with the “Kneeling Attendants,” six items on Cambodia’s Met list were once owned by Douglas A.J. Latchford, a prolific collector and accused trafficker of Khmer relics who died last year. Latchford’s daughter, who inherited his collection, has agreed to return 125 of his objects to Cambodia because of their tainted past.
Latchford donated several of the items on Cambodia’s list, including a bronze face of a male deity now on display at the Met. “Lion” told Cambodian officials that he dug up the artifact and carried it off in a military backpack in the 1990s from a temple within the Koh Ker complex.
Three other items on Cambodia’s list were either sold or donated to the Met by Doris Wiener, a Manhattan gallery owner and Southeast Asia specialist who died in 2011. “Lion” told Cambodian investigators that one of them, a “Standing Female Deity,” was part of a pair he placed in an ox cart and covered with hay before taking them away for sale in 1997.
Khmer antiquities that arrived in museums, galleries and auction houses during and after the country’s era of upheaval have long been the subject of suspicion. In 1993, the International Council of Museums published a guide to 100 items known to have been looted from the Angkor temple complex. When the Met opened its Arts of South and Southeast Asia galleries in 1994, The New York Times critic Holland Cotter wrote, “One is prompted to speculate on exactly how art objects are extracted from their impoverished, often strife-torn homes of origin to land in the lap of a rich American museum.”
While the Met objects are a priority for Cambodian officials because of the museum’s stature and the breadth of its collection, the country’s culture minister said the nation is embarking on a far wider worldwide hunt for antiquities identified by Lion and others. They have assembled a database of Khmer cultural objects spanning nearly 100 institutions on five continents.
Bradley J. Gordon, a Phnom Penh-based American lawyer representing Cambodia in its hunt for looted antiquities, said the effort is a profound one for the government. “It’s as if their grandmother’s jewelry was stolen,” he said.
The Cambodian officials say they have also been in contact with the Denver Art Museum. In a statement to The Times, the Denver museum said it had decided on Sept. 1 to give up four Khmer items associated with Latchford “and is actively discussing their return with U.S. officials.”
Cambodia’s more assertive stance comes at a time when museums are reckoning with a strong shift toward repatriations in general. The Cambodians’ interest, however, extends beyond dealers and museums and includes well-to-do families who might have obtained antiquities that unlawfully entered the market.
“These are not just some decorations for your homes,” Phoeurng Sackona said. “They are items that have a soul, and it’s very important for them to be home to help restore the Khmer culture. We want to write the history of every statue that was taken for the true benefit to humanity.”
Cambodia Says the Met Museum Has Dozens of Its Looted Antiquities
Cambodia Says the Met Museum Has Dozens of Its Looted Antiquities
Interesting article in NY Times.........
- Prahok
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I was in Preah Vihear when it was a land-mine strewn trip to the site and came across a Cambodian Army General with four associates carrying chisels and hammers. I don't think they were weeding.
Plenty of artifacts have been stolen, and plenty of houses in Phnom Penh purchased on the proceeds. No doubt museums around the World are holding such artifacts, however what confidence do these institutions have that any returned artifacts won't just re-enter the illegal market?
Plenty of artifacts have been stolen, and plenty of houses in Phnom Penh purchased on the proceeds. No doubt museums around the World are holding such artifacts, however what confidence do these institutions have that any returned artifacts won't just re-enter the illegal market?
Sorry, you can not assume authority over the legal owner based on their competence, or perceived lack of, to be entrusted with what is rightfully theirs. How they manage it once the items are returned is no one's business, regardless of outcome.Prahok wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 10:05 amI was in Preah Vihear when it was a land-mine strewn trip to the site and came across a Cambodian Army General with four associates carrying chisels and hammers. I don't think they were weeding.
Plenty of artifacts have been stolen, and plenty of houses in Phnom Penh purchased on the proceeds. No doubt museums around the World are holding such artifacts, however what confidence do these institutions have that any returned artifacts won't just re-enter the illegal market?
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No need to apologise, as this isn't a question of what is morally, or even legally, correct.Dylan Quint wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:30 pmSorry, you can not assume authority over the legal owner based on their competence, or perceived lack of, to be entrusted with what is rightfully theirs. How they manage it once the items are returned is no one's business, regardless of outcome.
This is a question regarding the likely outcome.
Ha, that could have been the mantra of colonialism. Unquestionable arrogance, if you care to think about it.Prahok wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:49 pmNo need to apologise, as this isn't a question of what is morally, or even legally, correct.Dylan Quint wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:30 pmSorry, you can not assume authority over the legal owner based on their competence, or perceived lack of, to be entrusted with what is rightfully theirs. How they manage it once the items are returned is no one's business, regardless of outcome.
This is a question regarding the likely outcome.
- Bong Burgundy
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Cambodia: Stolen Angkorian crown jewellery resurfaces in London
A vast trove of Cambodia's Angkorian crown jewellery, some dating back to the 7th Century, resurfaced in London last summer, it has been revealed.
The stolen items belonged to known antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford.
Experts say they have never seen most of the jewellery before and are stunned by its existence.
The collection has been secretly returned to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and is due to go on display there in the country's national museum.
Latchford died in 2020 while awaiting trial in the US. His family promised to return his stolen collection to Cambodia after he died, but the authorities did not know what exactly would be handed over or how it would happen.
Brad Gordon, the head of Cambodia's investigative team, became the first representative of the nation to see the jewellery when he visited London last summer. He told the BBC: "I was driven by a representative of the Latchford family to an undisclosed location. In the parking lot was a vehicle with four boxes inside.
"I felt like crying. I just thought - wow - the crown jewels of ancient Cambodian civilization packed into four boxes in the back of a car."
When it was all unwrapped, the resurfaced collection was found to contain 77 pieces of gold and jewel-encrusted jewellery, including crowns, belts and earrings. A large bowl is thought to date to the 11th Century and although it has yet to be tested, appears to be made of solid gold. Experts believe it could have been used as a rice bowl for Angkorian royalty.
Full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64649771
A vast trove of Cambodia's Angkorian crown jewellery, some dating back to the 7th Century, resurfaced in London last summer, it has been revealed.
The stolen items belonged to known antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford.
Experts say they have never seen most of the jewellery before and are stunned by its existence.
The collection has been secretly returned to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and is due to go on display there in the country's national museum.
Latchford died in 2020 while awaiting trial in the US. His family promised to return his stolen collection to Cambodia after he died, but the authorities did not know what exactly would be handed over or how it would happen.
Brad Gordon, the head of Cambodia's investigative team, became the first representative of the nation to see the jewellery when he visited London last summer. He told the BBC: "I was driven by a representative of the Latchford family to an undisclosed location. In the parking lot was a vehicle with four boxes inside.
"I felt like crying. I just thought - wow - the crown jewels of ancient Cambodian civilization packed into four boxes in the back of a car."
When it was all unwrapped, the resurfaced collection was found to contain 77 pieces of gold and jewel-encrusted jewellery, including crowns, belts and earrings. A large bowl is thought to date to the 11th Century and although it has yet to be tested, appears to be made of solid gold. Experts believe it could have been used as a rice bowl for Angkorian royalty.
Full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64649771
Bringing the news. You stay classy, nas, Cambodia.
Honestly if it wasn't for these buyers abroad that valued the art of these items above their components cost the Khmer rouge would definitely have melted the gold ones down and they would be part of the necklaces for sale at central market by now.
If i had bought one of those artifacts in the west from some dealer at an high price and now some government would force me to return them without any compensation i would rather melt the gold pull out the precious stones.
After all that is what would have happened anyway.
How many statues have been melted down? How many more were blown up just for fun?
There is a big difference between someone breaking into your home and stealing your art collection and someone that convinced you, while you were smashing your art collection in your driveway in a drunken madness, to sell him some of the items that you were in the process of trashing.
If the destructive person a few days later changed his mind and wanted to have his art back, showed up to your home calling you a thief demanding you to give him back those items that you bought and so managed to save from his destructive behavior, I don't think that most reasonable people would side with the previous owner.
If i had bought one of those artifacts in the west from some dealer at an high price and now some government would force me to return them without any compensation i would rather melt the gold pull out the precious stones.
After all that is what would have happened anyway.
How many statues have been melted down? How many more were blown up just for fun?
There is a big difference between someone breaking into your home and stealing your art collection and someone that convinced you, while you were smashing your art collection in your driveway in a drunken madness, to sell him some of the items that you were in the process of trashing.
If the destructive person a few days later changed his mind and wanted to have his art back, showed up to your home calling you a thief demanding you to give him back those items that you bought and so managed to save from his destructive behavior, I don't think that most reasonable people would side with the previous owner.
- Lucky Lucan
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I don't think that many were destroyed for fun. Contrary to what some believe, the Khmer Rouge did very little deliberate damage to ancient sites while in power. Later they were involved in looting, but so were all the other factions. There were dealers in Thailand who could show photos of statues in situ, and you could order them. So some army/civilians would hack out the piece at the site and transport it to the border. Some were destroyed or badly damaged during this process. There were workshops in Aranyaprathet where they copied stolen statues. It was a well organized effort, not just opportunistic crime.jackrossi wrote: ↑Wed Feb 22, 2023 11:37 am
How many statues have been melted down? How many more were blown up just for fun?
There is a big difference between someone breaking into your home and stealing your art collection and someone that convinced you, while you were smashing your art collection in your driveway in a drunken madness, to sell him some of the items that you were in the process of trashing.
If the destructive person a few days later changed his mind and wanted to have his art back, showed up to your home calling you a thief demanding you to give him back those items that you bought and so managed to save from his destructive behavior, I don't think that most reasonable people would side with the previous owner.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The United States joins Cambodians in celebrating the return of looted artifacts back to their rightful home in the Kingdom following a cultural repatriation ceremony held March 17 in Phnom Penh.
Among the repatriated Cambodian artifacts are magnificent 10th century sculptures of ‘Skanda on a Peacock’ and Ganesha looted from the ancient Khmer capital Koh Ker and returned from the United States. The return of these and other sculptures represents a broad U.S. government effort to conserve global cultural heritage, including collaboration among the U.S. Department of State, Department of Justice, and Homeland Security Investigations.
For 20 years the United States has worked to protect, preserve, and honor Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage with local partners, American academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Through a long-standing U.S.-Cambodia cultural property agreement, the United States has facilitated the return of over 100 priceless antiquities; helped build the capacity of Cambodians working on cultural preservation; disrupted organizations seeking to profit from the theft of cultural heritage items; and supported the preservation of Cambodian heritage sites and collections. The cultural property agreement is the only one of its kind between the United States and an ASEAN member state.
“The United States is proud of its longstanding support for the restoration and protection of historic sites of cultural significance for Cambodia and to repatriate invaluable artifacts back to Cambodia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy. “U.S. efforts in support of Cambodian stakeholders will help restore the soul of the Kingdom’s culture.”
Since 2001, the United States has provided over $5 million for cultural preservation efforts in Cambodia, including efforts to conserve the 9th century temples of Phnom Bakheng in the Angkor Archaeological Park and Preah Vihear in northern Cambodia.
https://kh.usembassy.gov/unitedstateswe ... ambodia23/
Among the repatriated Cambodian artifacts are magnificent 10th century sculptures of ‘Skanda on a Peacock’ and Ganesha looted from the ancient Khmer capital Koh Ker and returned from the United States. The return of these and other sculptures represents a broad U.S. government effort to conserve global cultural heritage, including collaboration among the U.S. Department of State, Department of Justice, and Homeland Security Investigations.
For 20 years the United States has worked to protect, preserve, and honor Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage with local partners, American academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Through a long-standing U.S.-Cambodia cultural property agreement, the United States has facilitated the return of over 100 priceless antiquities; helped build the capacity of Cambodians working on cultural preservation; disrupted organizations seeking to profit from the theft of cultural heritage items; and supported the preservation of Cambodian heritage sites and collections. The cultural property agreement is the only one of its kind between the United States and an ASEAN member state.
“The United States is proud of its longstanding support for the restoration and protection of historic sites of cultural significance for Cambodia and to repatriate invaluable artifacts back to Cambodia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy. “U.S. efforts in support of Cambodian stakeholders will help restore the soul of the Kingdom’s culture.”
Since 2001, the United States has provided over $5 million for cultural preservation efforts in Cambodia, including efforts to conserve the 9th century temples of Phnom Bakheng in the Angkor Archaeological Park and Preah Vihear in northern Cambodia.
https://kh.usembassy.gov/unitedstateswe ... ambodia23/
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