Southeast Asian Countries Demand Return of Stolen Artifacts from US Museum Amid Controversy

via The Guardian, 23 August 2023: Additional reporting from the previous story in the Denver Post reporting that high-level government officials from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand are demanding that the Denver Art Museum return eight pieces of looted antiquities taken from temples and historical sites, as ongoing issues with stolen artifacts in US institutions persist.

“Why is [Denver Art Museum], a public institution with all the responsibilities and benefits that go along with that, not ensuring the integrity of its own collections?” Davis said to the Guardian.

“The accusations here don’t involve mistakes made in the colonial era, or, frankly, even the 20th century. These were actions that were taken in 2016, 2018, 2021,” Davis added.

Angela Chiu, an independent art expert and scholar based in London, similarly questioned why DAM has not returned the looted goods, especially as more pieces still remain in the museum’s possession.

“To learn that the museum seems to be taking a while to return those objects is kind of mysterious,” Chiu said to the Guardian. “I do worry.”

Chiu added that Bunker may not be the only donor with shady acquisitions, noting that DAM may not have processes in place to examine other collectors.

Source: South-east Asian countries demand Denver museum return looted artefacts | Colorado | The Guardian