The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced that it will be returning 16 ancient sculptures to Cambodia and Thailand due to their connection to looting. The works are being returned as a result of new information that came to light and the museum’s commitment to proactively address the issue of looted artifacts. The pieces are tied to art dealer Douglas Latchford, who was indicted in 2019 for selling antiquities illegally and passed away before the case reached a verdict. The museum has stated that it is also reviewing its other Khmer works to see if any others need to be transferred.
Fourteen Khmer sculptures will be returned to Cambodia, while two will go back to Thailand. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Royal Ease and the Head of Buddha are among the works that will be returned. They will remain on view at the museum while arrangements are being made to return them to their homeland.
This is not the first time the Met has returned artifacts to Cambodia, as they voluntarily returned two objects known as the “Kneeling Attendants” in 2013. Museum Director Max Hollein has stated that they are committed to collaborating with Cambodian officials to advance the world’s understanding of Khmer art. HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan has said that the museum has recognized the significance of the stolen Khmer artifacts and is voluntarily returning them to their rightful owners.
Despite Latchford’s indictment in 2019 over the looted Cambodian antiquities, the case was dismissed due to his death. An indictment by the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York stated that Latchford had been involved in selling looted Cambodian antiquities on the international art market. If convicted, he would have faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
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