via The Straits Times, 09 May 2024: A Singaporean couple, in memory of their late son, has donated a 400-year-old Buddha statue to Bhutan. This significant cultural artifact, purchased during their visit to Bhutan, has been repatriated to its origin, signifying a heartfelt gesture of respect and remembrance. One wonders if it should have been taken out of the country in the first place, but the story says it was bought from an elderly couple in Bhutan.
A thermoluminescence test to determine the age of artefacts had dated the statue – standing 34cm tall and 27cm wide – to the 1620s. According to Dr Ong, an antique dealer had valued it at between US$2 million (S$2.7 million) and US$3 million.
Dr Ong, 44, said an intact clay statue of that age is “extremely rare”, as clay is very soft, difficult to work with and even harder to preserve over time.
As the statue is a sacred symbol of Buddhism in Bhutan, this gift holds immense significance for the kingdom, said SBF’s president, Venerable Seck Kwang Phing, who presided over the ceremony.
Source: Singapore couple donates 400-year-old Buddha statue to Bhutan in late son’s name
