The two sculptures that were returned to Cambodia by prosecutors in New York. Cambodian embassy in the US
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DA) has released details of the history of two looted artefacts that were returned to Cambodia on March 26, following their seizure by the DA’s office in New York City. The two sculptures include a male deity torso made of sandstone and the head of a deity or member of the royalty.
In a March 27 press release, the Manhattan DA’s office described the male deity torso, which originally had four arms — though all four are now broken off at the upper arms — and is adorned with a skirt in the Baphuon style from the 11th century.
The sculpture was originally discovered at a temple in Phum Bavel village, Battambang Province, and was later stored at the Po Veal Museum in Battambang Province in 1965.
When war broke out in the 1970s, the sculpture was moved to a storage facility by the Cambodian National Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property, along with numerous smaller sculptures.
However, it was not until 1985 that it became known that this sculpture, along with many others, had been stolen from the storage facility.
In 1981, the sculpture surfaced at an auction in London, the UK, where it was purchased by an American individual who kept it until their death. In 2024, the sculpture was put up for auction in New York City, after which the DA’s office seized it.
There were fewer details available about the second sculpture, a head resembling a Buddha.
It has been identified as in the Angkorian style from the 12th century, and features a naga (serpent) figure at the back, indicating it represents a king or deity.
The sculpture bears marks suggesting it was forcibly broken off from its original location using significant force. It was brought into the US and illegally traded by antiquities buyers.
“I am delighted that we have returned more than 30 antiquities to Cambodia in recent years. This is a testament to the outstanding work of our investigators and prosecutors. I thank them for their continued efforts to dismantle these antiquities trafficking networks,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr.
“Cambodia truly values its partnership with the Manhattan DA’s office, which has made it possible to return these precious cultural treasures to the Kingdom,” said Kuoy Kuong, Cambodian ambassador to the US and Mexico, who accepted the two sculptures on behalf of the people of Cambodia.
He added that, as Cambodia and the US celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the repatriation of these antiquities reflects the strength of their enduring relationship and their shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage and upholding justice.
