Ancient Khmer sculpture returns to Cambodia
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An ancient Cambodian sculpture, crafted in the Koh Ker period (928-942AD), will return to its original home later this spring.
The sculpture, known as the Duryodhana, was stolen from Cambodia sometime in the early 1970s. The 225-kilogram statue depicts a Hindu warrior and is valued at around US$2 million (Bt65 million). It was re-discovered in the United States in 2011 when the auction house Sotheby’s in New York City was about to re-sell it.
The Cambodian government, working with the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, intervened.
After a lengthy court battle, assisted by Cambodia-based legal services firm Sciaroni & Associates who provided research and expert witness testimony in support of the matter, an agreement was reached with the consignee and Sotheby’s to return the statue to Cambodia.
Cambodian Deputy PM Sok An, is leading a delegation to New York City to attend the May 7th ceremony commemorating the return of the Duryodhana to Cambodia where he will accept the repatriation of this historical artefact, which carries significant cultural importance. Initially, the statue will be housed at the Cambodian National Museum.
“The wealth and diversity of Khmer culture, epitomised by the world famous Angkor Wat temple, has captured the imagination of all who have witnessed it first hand,” said Bretton G Sciaroni, Senior Partner at Sciaroni & Associates.
“In particular, the sculptures created by the Khmer are some of the major masterpieces of the world, especially those done during the Koh Ker period. Thus, to have played a small part in the return of this historic piece of sculpture to the Cambodian people was a great pleasure for all of our team.”
