Cambodian-relics-tied-to-indicted-art-dealer-douglas-latchford-have-turned-up-in-the-met-other-museums




Several Cambodian relics tied to the indicted art dealer Douglas Latchford have been found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other major museums. Latchford, who was indicted in 2019 for smuggling and trafficking looted Cambodian antiquities, had sold and donated numerous Khmer sculptures and artifacts to prestigious institutions worldwide.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has proactively worked with U.S. authorities and Cambodian officials to identify and return these illicitly obtained works. As of December 2023, the Met announced it would repatriate 14 Khmer sculptures to Cambodia and two to Thailand, effectively removing from its collection all Angkorian sculptures known to be linked to Latchford. These artifacts include significant pieces such as a larger-than-life Buddha head from the 7th century and a sandstone statue of a goddess from the 10th century, as well as statues of deities like Avalokiteshvara, Shiva, and Uma1234568.
Beyond the Met, investigations revealed that at least 27 pieces connected to Latchford are held in other prominent museums, including the Denver Art Museum, British Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Australia. Additional relics linked to Latchford have been identified in collections such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Asian Art Museum. Some institutions have acknowledged ongoing investigations or expressed willingness to cooperate, while others have been less responsive7.
The repatriation efforts reflect a broader movement among museums to address the provenance of artifacts acquired during periods of conflict and colonial exploitation. Cambodia’s Culture Minister has welcomed the return of these national treasures, emphasizing their importance to Cambodian heritage and calling on other museums and private collectors to follow the Met’s example in returning looted artifacts6.
In summary, Cambodian relics tied to Douglas Latchford have surfaced in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several other major museums worldwide. The Met has begun returning these artifacts to Cambodia and Thailand, and ongoing investigations continue to identify and repatriate other works linked to Latchford’s illicit trafficking network137.

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