74 pieces of looted Cambodian antiquities returned home from Britain

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-four pieces of stolen Cambodian ancient objects, recovered from the possession of the late antique collector Douglas Latchford, have been returned to Cambodia from Britain, said a press release from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on Friday.

The return was made in accordance with the 2020 agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Latchford family, the press release said, adding that it was the third repatriation of Cambodian artifacts from the Latchford family to Cambodia.

The newly returned artworks, dating from the pre-Angkorian period to the height of the Angkorian Empire, included masterfully crafted sandstone and metal sculptures, as well as ritual objects, the press release said.

Among the most significant pieces are two exceptional sandstone sculptures from the early Angkorian period, dating to the first 50 years of the 9th century, during the reign of Jayavarman II, the press release said, adding that these male and female divine figures are regarded as exemplary works created during the formative period of the Angkorian Empire and are often referred to as the "divine couple."

The collection also included a sandstone head of Brahma (four-faced Hindu God) and a statue of a yaksha (guardian figure) from the Koh Ker temple complex, it added.

"These 74 objects are not merely works of art; they are living testimonies to the wisdom, creativity, and spiritual spirit of Khmer civilization," the press release said.

It added that for decades, many national treasures were separated from their homeland during times of war and unrest.

"Their return clearly demonstrates Cambodia's unwavering commitment to seeking justice for its cultural heritage and sends a strong message to the international community that the Cambodian people remain united in protecting and preserving their national cultural assets," the press release said. ■