'Golden Boy' Statue Returned to Thailand
A 900-year-old bronze statue known as the 'Golden Boy' has been returned to Thailand by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York after over three decades. Smuggled by art dealer Douglas Latchford in 1975, the statue could depict either the Hindu god Shiva or King Jayavarman VI of the Khmer Empire. It arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport and will be displayed at the National Museum Bangkok following an official repatriation ceremony.
The 11th century bronze statue known as the 'Golden Boy' has been returned to Thailand after being held for over three decades at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Smuggled out of Thailand in 1975 by Douglas Latchford, a notorious art dealer, the 129-centimetre statue is believed to represent either the Hindu god Shiva or King Jayavarman VI of the Khmer Empire.
Along with a smaller statue of a kneeling woman, the 'Golden Boy' arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport and was transferred to the National Museum Bangkok for an official repatriation ceremony.
The artefacts were returned after the Met verified their illicit origins connected to Latchford, who was charged in 2019 for orchestrating a large-scale network of stolen Southeast Asian treasures.
The Ministry of Culture will host the official welcoming ceremony at Issara Winitchai Throne Hall in the Bangkok National Museum.
Smuggled out of Thailand in 1975 by Douglas Latchford, a notorious art dealer, the 129-centimetre statue is believed to represent either the Hindu god Shiva or King Jayavarman VI of the Khmer Empire.
Along with a smaller statue of a kneeling woman, the 'Golden Boy' arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport and was transferred to the National Museum Bangkok for an official repatriation ceremony.
The artefacts were returned after the Met verified their illicit origins connected to Latchford, who was charged in 2019 for orchestrating a large-scale network of stolen Southeast Asian treasures.
The Ministry of Culture will host the official welcoming ceremony at Issara Winitchai Throne Hall in the Bangkok National Museum.
