Cambodia has secured the return of 74 Khmer cultural objects formerly held by the family of notorious British art dealer Douglas “Dynamite Doug” Latchford, marking one of the country’s largest single repatriations of looted antiquities in recent years.
Several of the pieces went on display at the National Museum of Cambodia today.
In a press release issued the same day, February 27, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts explained that the artefacts were returned in accordance with a 2020 agreement between the ministry and the Latchford family.
“The return of this significant number of Khmer cultural treasures marks another major achievement in recent years, following the repatriation of important Khmer artifacts from the Latchford family in 2021 and 2023,” according to the ministry.
“These artworks date from the pre-Angkorian period to the height of the Angkorian Empire and include masterfully crafted sandstone and metal sculptures, as well as ritual objects.
“Among the most significant pieces are two exceptional sandstone sculptures from the early Angkorian period, dating to the first fifty years of the 9th century, during the reign of Jayavarman II, which Latchford claimed originated from Phnom Kulen,” it said.
The male and female divine figures are regarded as exemplary works from the formative period of the Angkorian Empire and are commonly referred to as the “divine couple”.
Based on available evidence, the female figure is considered a rare masterpiece of the Kulen style.
The collection also includes a sandstone head of Brahma and a statue of a yaksha, or rakshasa, from the Koh Ker temple complex.
The head of Brahma, originally attached to a full body enshrined in a major temple, reflects the cosmological vision and refined craftsmanship characteristic of the Koh Ker style.
The ministry said another notable piece is a bronze sculpture in the Bakheng style, representing an important stage in the early development of Khmer iconography.
The ministry described the 74 objects as more than artistic works, calling them living testimonies to the wisdom, creativity and spiritual life of Khmer civilisation.
For decades, many such treasures were separated from their homeland amid war and instability.
Their return, the ministry said, demonstrates Cambodia’s continued commitment to restoring its cultural heritage and seeking justice for artifacts removed under questionable circumstances.
Cambodia also reaffirmed its intention to continue cooperating in good faith with private collectors, institutions and governments worldwide to ensure the return of Khmer cultural heritage to its country of origin.
Each successful repatriation, the statement noted, carries profound meaning in healing historical wounds and restoring national dignity and identity.
Acknowledgment was also extended to UK authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Service Art and Antiques Unit, the Heritage Crime Task Force, the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit and Transnational Threats Department and the British embassy in Phnom Penh, as well as Cambodian officials and the ministry’s Archaeology and Research Team for their investigative efforts.
The ministry further thanked legal advisors Bradley J. Gordon of Edenbridge Asia, Steven Heimberg of Stalwart Law Group, and Malina Antoniadis of NOSTOS Strategies for facilitating the return process.
Financial support for transportation costs was provided by Chip Mong Group, Canadia Bank, and artists Ngoun Chan Devith and Tep Boprek.
With the latest repatriation, Cambodia continues to strengthen its position in the global effort against the illicit trade in antiquities, signalling that the recovery of its cultural heritage remains a national priority.
