My visit to the National Museum this week had a series of positive outcomes including seeing the improved signage for some of the recently returned sculptures, as well as the exhibition of a few bronzes that have not been on public display before. More about those newbies in another post. Here’s an example of the provision of extra detailed information regarding two of the museum’s most prestigious recent arrivals. The signage board in both Khmer and English offered-up additional details behind the acquisition of the two remarkable 10th century Skanda sculptures from Koh Ker, as you can see from my photographs.
The text reads as follows:
Skanda on a Peacock and Skanda and Shiva: Their return to Cambodia.
- These two masterpieces were discovered by Lion [former looter] in 1997. Found buried in an antechamber of Prasat Krachap, Koh Ker, they were transported by oxcart to the border of Thailand and sold to Douglas Latchford for several hundred dollars each. In 2000, Latchford sold Skanda on a Peacock for US$1.5 million to a private collector.
- Following a lead from Emma Bunker (an associate of Latchford) provided in 2019, the Cambodia restitution team worked with Homeland Security Investigations and the Southern District of New York to locate the statue. It was discovered to be in a residence in New York City. In 2022, the collector’s family agreed to return Skanda of a Peacock to Cambodia.
- Latchford attempted to sell Skanda and Shiva as recently as 2017. It remained unsold and was one of his most prized statues. His daughter, Julia, returned Skanda and Shiva to Cambodia in 2021. [end].
My sincere hope is that the fantastic achievements of the Cambodia restitution team are also recognized soon with similar improved signage attached to the 8 magnificent sculptures that comprise the re-creation of the original Prasat Chen of Koh Ker battle between Bhima and Duryodhana. I sat and watched too many museum visitors virtually walk past and ignore these amazing achievements in artistry of the tenth century Khmer sculptors, all of which were looted from the temple in 1972 but have found their way back home through the diligent efforts of the Cambodian government and its team. Each individual sculpture has its own unique story to tell. Even groups with guides gave the statues no more than a cursory stop on their whistle-stop visit, when the Prasat Chen group, coupled with the Banteay Srei pediment that replicates the battle overhanging the scene, deserve extra special attention. I appreciate the museum’s efforts in improving their signage throughout their display and hope to see this continue in the future.....Credit By :Andy Brouwer