Stolen Sculpture Returns to Motherland
Ket Sophann, the Cambodian Ambassador to France, received the 500-kilo sculpture at the Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes in the city of Lyon on Sept. 5. Photo: Ke Sophann's Facebook
- By Khorn Champa
- September 6, 2023 3:08 PM
PHNOM PENH – The French authorities have returned to Cambodia an Angkorian bas-relief from the 12th or 13th century believed to have been stolen in the country around 1990.
Ket Sophann, Cambodia’s ambassador to France, was presented with the 300-kilogram sculpture at the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes of the City of Lyon on Sept. 5.
“Returning the sculpture, which is a part of Khmer history, will enable the country to merge the national soul and identity,” Sophann said, according to a press release from the embassy.
The five-piece sandstone sculpture was originally stolen in the early 1990s either at the Preah Khan of Kampong Svay temple in Preah Vihear Province or Banteay Chhmar Temple in Banteay Meanchey province, the press release read.
The sculpture was found by an antiques auction company from Lyon during a location inspection in February 2020.
Thanking the French authorities, Sophann said the return of the sculpture reflected the excellent cooperation between Cambodia and France.
The sculpture was originally from Preah Khan Kampong Svay Temple (also known as Bakan Temple) or Banteay Chhmar Temple. Photo: Ket Sophann's Facebook
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Meng Seavmey for Cambodianess.
