Denver Art Museum Returns Four Artworks to the People of Cambodia

DENVER–Nov. 30, 2021–Working in collaboration with U.S. and Cambodian governments, the Denver Art Museum today announces that four works from Cambodia previously deaccessioned from its collection were picked up from the Denver Art Museum by U.S. officials for return to Cambodia. The pieces entered the museum’s collection approximately 20 years ago, three as gifts and one as a purchase from Douglas Latchford.

In 2019, immediately after the indictment of Latchford, the museum contacted Cambodian officials to bring these pieces to their attention, and gather additional information. Since that time, the Museum has cooperated with the US and Cambodian governments to secure their return; on September 1, 2021, the museum deaccessioned these pieces from its collection. Ensuring proper ownership of antiquities is an obligation the museum takes seriously.

Objects deaccessioned and returning to Cambodia:

  • Goddess of Transcendent Wisdom (Prajnaparamita), Cambodia, 1150 to 1200, Bayon period. Sandstone.
  • Sun God (Surya), Cambodia or Vietnam, 600s to 700s, Pre-Angkor period. Sandstone.
  • Sleep of Vishnu and the Birth of Brahma, Cambodia, 700s, Pre-Angkor period. Sandstone.
  • Bell, Cambodia, 1st Century BCE, Iron Age. Bronze.

[Updated June 4, 2024, with collection images and known provenance.]

Statue of a tall barecheasted Cambodian goddess wearing a long skirt

Prajnaparamita (Goddess or Transcendent Wisdom). Cambodia. Angkor period, late 1100s. Sandstone. 59” H x 15” D x 12 ½” D. Purchased in honor of Emma C. Bunker with funds from Collectors’ Choice 2000, Sam and Freda Davis Art Collection and Others. 2000.198. Deaccessioned September 2021.

Known Provenance: Douglas Latchford [1931 – 2020], Bangkok, Thailand; purchase, Denver Art Museum, 2000. Bibliography: Arts of Asia, Vol. 37, No. 1, January/February, 2007, p. 85, fig. 8; Bunker, Emmy and Douglas Latchford. Adoration and Glory: The Golden Age of Khmer Art. Art Media Resources, 2004, p. 272, fig. 11.6.

Cambodian sandstone sculpture of a standing figure

Standing Surya, Sun God. Cambodia. Pre-Angkor period, 7th– 8th century C.E., Sandstone. 25” H x 9 ½” W x 4.5” D. Purchased with Sam F. and Freda R. Davis Charitable Trust and Asian Art Department Acquisition Funds. 2004.371. Deaccessioned September 2021.

Known Provenance: Douglas Latchford [1931–2020], Bangkok, Thailand; purchase, Denver Art Museum, 2000. Bibliography: Bunker, Emmy and Douglas Latchford. Adoration and Glory: The Golden Age of Khmer Art. Art Media Resources. 2004, p. 54, fig. 9. Arts of Asia, Vol. 37, No. 1, January/February 2007, Denver Art Museum. P. 82, fig. 4. Southeast Asian Art at LACMA: An online scholarly catalogue. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2013. p. 106.

Stone relief with carvings telling the story of the sleep of Vishnu and of Brahma birth, two revered Hindu gods

Lintel with Sleep of Vishnu and Birth of Brahma. Cambodia, Khmer, late 7th century C.E., Sandstone. 52” L x 18” H. Gift of Douglas A.J. Latchford. 2005.104. Deaccessioned September 2021.

Known Provenance: Douglas Latchford [1931-2020], Bangkok, Thailand; gift, Denver Art Museum, 2005. Bibliography: Bunker, Emmy and Douglas Latchford. Adoration and Glory: The Golden Age of Khmer Art. Art Media Resources. 2004, p. 84-85. Arts of Asia, Vol. 37, No. 1, January/February 2007, Denver Art Museum. p. 82-83.

Bronze oval-shaped jar

Bell. Cambodia. Iron Age, 1st century B.C.E. Bronze. 12 ½” H x 7 ½” W x 5 ¾” D. Gift of Douglas A.J. Latchford. 2005.105. Deaccessioned September 2021.

Known Provenance: Collection of Douglas Latchford [1931-2020], Bangkok, Thailand; gift, Denver Art Museum, 2005. Bibliography: Arts of Asia, Vol. 37, No. 1, January/February 2007, Denver Art Museum. p. 81, fig. 2.

Statue of a tall barecheasted Cambodian goddess wearing a long skirt
Cambodian sandstone sculpture of a standing figure
Stone relief with carvings telling the story of the sleep of Vishnu and of Brahma birth, two revered Hindu gods
Bronze oval-shaped jar

About the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its mission is to enrich lives by sparking creative thinking and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations. For museum information, visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

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