New York Museum Returns Sculptures to Cambodia
12/16/2023, 4:58:39 AM
Highlights: New York Museum Returns Sculptures to Cambodia. 16 ancient sculptures from the days of the Khmer Empire. Fourteen of them to Cambodia and two to Thailand. The objects are linked to the controversial, criminally accused and now deceased art dealer Douglas Latchford. He was charged with smuggling and selling looted Cambodian artifacts on the international art market from his headquarters in Thailand's capital Bangkok, but he died before the trial could be completed. Some of the trade is said to have taken place during the period when the Khmmer Rouge ruled Cambodia in the 1970s.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is returning 16 ancient sculptures from the days of the Khmer Empire to their countries of origin. Fourteen of them to Cambodia and two to Thailand.
The objects are linked to the controversial, criminally accused and now deceased art dealer Douglas Latchford.
In 2019, Latchford was charged with smuggling and selling looted Cambodian artifacts on the international art market from his headquarters in Thailand's capital Bangkok, but he died before the trial could be completed.
Some of Latchford's trade is said to have taken place during the period when the Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia in the 1970s.
The Khmer Empire encompassed much of Southeast Asia during the 800th to 1400th centuries and was centered in the city of Angkor, in present-day Cambodia.