Britain returns Angkorian crown jewelry stolen from Cambodia, refrain grows for Kohinoor’s return

The Cambodian ministry stated it obtained the 77 items from the household of a British antiquities seller, Douglas Latchford.

New Delhi ,UPDATED: Feb 22, 2023 20:58 IST

Image Courtesy: Cambodia Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts/Facebook

By Subodh Kumar: Dozens of items of Angkorian crown jewelry, stolen from Cambodia which have by no means been seen by the general public, have been returned after resurfacing in London, the Cambodian tradition ministry stated.

The Cambodian ministry stated they obtained the 77 items from the household of a British antiquities seller, Douglas Latchford.

Latchford died in 2020 whereas awaiting trial within the United States for artwork trafficking, and his household reached an settlement with Cambodia the identical 12 months to return his assortment of Khmer antiquities.

The assortment, which arrived discreetly in Cambodia on Friday, options “gold and other precious metal pieces from the pre-Angkorian and Angkorian periods, including crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings and amulets”, the ministry stated in an announcement.

Cambodia acknowledged it has obtained 77 items from the household of a British antiquities seller
Cambodia acknowledged it has obtained 77 items from the household of a British antiquities seller.
Cambodia acknowledged it has obtained 77 items from the household of a British antiquities seller

“The collection arrived in Cambodia on 17 February 2023, such as gold and other precious metal pieces from the Pre-Angkorian and Angkorian periods, including crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings and amulets, a number of which have been featured in the book Khmer Gold: Gifts of the Gods, co-authored by Emma C Bunker and Douglas AJ Latchford (2008). Many of the objects have never been seen by the public before,” the assertion learn.

In 2022, the US additionally returned to Cambodia 30 looted antiquities, together with bronze and stone statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities that have been carved greater than 1,000 years in the past.

Remarkable that the decision for the UK to return one of many largest minimize diamonds, Kohinoor, to India grew louder after the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II final 12 months.

Now, a video of an Indian-origin journalist, Narinder Kaur, and UK News journalist Emma Webb discussing if Kohinoor ought to be returned to India or not, is making rounds on social media.

In this viral clip, the 2 journalists will be seen indulging in a heated argument. Journalist Emma Webb argued that Kohinoor’s possession will be disputed, whereas fellow broadcaster Narinder Kaur hit again, saying, “You do not know history.”

Notably, on February 14, The Buckingham Palace introduced that the contentious Kohinoor diamond from the colonial period has been excluded from Camilla’s alternative of crown for her coronation, scheduled to be held in May 2023 with husband King Charles III at Westminster Abbey.

Earlier too, the loss of life of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, had reignited the demand in India to deliver again the Kohinoor.

According to historical past, the Kohinoor was handed over to the British in 1849 as a part of a punitive contract signed with the Maharaja of Lahore within the aftermath of the Anglo-Sikh battle.

Published On:

Feb 22, 2023