Seventy seven pieces of Cambodian jewelry from the collection of the late Douglas Latchford have been returned to Cambodia after an agreement was reached in 2020. The collection includes pieces from the Pre-Angkorian and Angkorian periods that have never been seen by the public.
The Royal Government of Cambodia thanks the United Kingdom for facilitating the return of the artifacts, which marks a new era of understanding about the Angkorian empire.
A collection of Cambodian jewelry that belonged to the late Douglas Latchford's family will be returned to Cambodia, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In September 2020, a deal was made under which all Cambodian antiques owned by the Latchford family would be handed to Cambodia.
The 77 pieces of Cambodian jewelry from the Latchford family's collection were returned, thanks to the efforts of the Cambodian delegation, further stone, and bronze artifacts were also sent to Cambodia in September 2021 from the UK.
The jewelry collection arrived in Cambodia on 17 February, 2023, and it contains gold and other precious metal pieces from the Pre-Angkorian and Angkorian periods. This includes crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings, and amulets, many of which have never been seen by the public before.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia expressed its gratitude to the UK government for facilitating the return of the artifacts to Cambodians," the statement said.
Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, noted that the repatriation of the national treasures opened a new era of understanding and scholarship about the Angkorian empire and its significance to the world.
The Minister urges private individuals and institutions around the world to return Cambodian cultural heritage objects to the Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts or Cambodian Embassies such returns are considered a noble act that contributes to a nation's culture and the healing and reconciliation of Cambodians who have suffered from civil war and genocide.
Hun Many, leader of the Cambodian delegation, expressed his honor to return priceless national treasures to Cambodia. He also thanked the Government and relevant partners for working together to achieve these results.
