Artefacts returned to Cambodia

Cambodia recently celebrated the return of 11 artefacts to the country, including two that were returned by a Norwegian businessman.

Artefacts returned by collector
Phnom Penh Post, 21 October 2015

Norwegian returns 2 stolen stone statues to Cambodia
AP, via the Herald, 20 October 2015

Two Ancient Artifacts To Be Returned by Norwegian Collector
VOA Cambodia, 16 October 2015

Cambodian antiquities, including two Angkor-era statues, were returned to the government by a Norwegian private art collector at a ceremony at the National Museum in Phnom Penh yesterday.

The 11 artworks – the most valuable of which were a ninth century Preah Ko-style head of Shiva and a late 12th century Bayon-style male divinity – were handed over by businessman Morten Bosterud at an event presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hom Namhong.

“I see myself not as a donor but as a returner of these art objects to their true owner,” Bosterud said. “I have had time to have a brief look around this museum and it made me realise that my decision was correct, and that my previous thoughts of being a caretaker of these objects was not correct.”

He added that he was certain the National Museum would take good care of the objects, display them to the public and use them for educational purposes.

Full story here and here.