Smithsonian Returns Three Looted Artefacts

Cambodianess 

 

“Head of Harihara” (mid-10th century), “The Goddess Uma” (10th century) and “Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom)” (c. 1200); Image Credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photo by Robert Harrell 

 

PHNOM PENH – Three masterpiece Khmer artefacts looted during the period of turbulence are set to return to Cambodia from the US National Museum of Asian Art.

The repatriation follows years of negotiations between the Cambodian team and the Smithsonian Institution.

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said on Dec. 16 that the Smithsonian’s board of regents has formally approved the return of the Head of Harihara, 10th century, Female Deity (the Goddess Uma), 10th century, and Prajnaparamita, late 12th century. 

The ministry said that the approval was cleared on Oct. 27. The three objects are on display at the institution’s National Museum of Asian Art.

The Smithsonian said an internal assessment had been  conducted since 2022.

For the Head of Harihara, a deity combining Shiva and Vishnu, only half of Shiva’s third eye is visible, thus confirming the dual identity and matching those of Pre Rup Temple. The sculpture was likely acquired by William H. Wolff Inc. before 1968 and passed to Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and gifted to the museum in 1987.

The female deity, believed to be Goddess Uma, has a standing pose and is believed to be associated with Bakheng Temple. Meanwhile, the bronze statue Prajnaparamita — meaning perfection of wisdom — was donated to the museum in 2005. 

 

The ministry said the return of these sacred sculptures resulted from an extensive provenance investigation, which concluded that the objects were removed from Cambodia during decades of civil war and insecurity that led to widespread looting. Their return represents a deeply meaningful step toward cultural restoration for the Cambodian people. 

Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, said Cambodia has consistently emphasized that the antiquities it is reclaiming, including these three masterpieces, are not merely extraordinary works of art but the living embodiments of ancestors’ spirit and the identity of the Khmer people. 

“They represent the Angkor Empire’s timeless strength, devotion, and creativity. Their homecoming marks a moment of national reflection and healing for a country that has endured decades of conflict and cultural destruction,” she said.

Sackona appreciated the Smithsonian’s good-faith cooperation and the spirit of trust and partnership that made this return possible. 

“We also hope that other museums will follow the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution in adopting and actively implementing a policy of ethical returns - a policy which makes it easier for countries like Cambodia to recover sacred artefacts lost during war,” she said.

The return of the three pieces is the first repatriation carried out under the Smithsonian’s Ethical Return Policy for the National Museum of Asian Art. 

The Smithsonian said the policy allows the museums it oversees to undertake voluntary and good-faith returns based on ethical considerations.

“Under this policy, the museum was able to proceed with a voluntary return without requiring a formal restitution claim from Cambodia,” it said.

“The museum has completed the deaccession process for the sculptures and will continue to collaborate with Cambodian partners through ongoing joint provenance research to deepen understanding of their histories.” 

The institute said that the sculptures were “donated to the museum and entered the collection without documentation of export from Cambodia and are associated with art dealers suspected of trafficking looted antiquities from Southeast Asia.”

“Based on their close association with specific extant temples and the date of appearance of these objects on the international art market, the museum identified ethical concerns significant enough to warrant a voluntary return,” the Smithsonian said.

Both sides are planning an official repatriation ceremony.

The Smithsonian said Cambodia also agreed in principle on a path to the long-term loan of the objects, allowing the museum to continue to share Cambodia’s great artistic achievements and provenance histories with visitors while demonstrating the mutual benefits of collaboration in the protection of cultural heritage.