Thailand in talks with US to bring home ancient heirlooms
The Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek last night revealed Thailand is in talks with the US to bring home three antique artefacts.
Rachada made it known the US Department of Homeland Security is in negotiations with the Denver Art Museum for the return of the Srivijaya-era Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, and two bronze statues of the Dvaravati period, from the 7th to 11th centuries AD.
The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, known in Chinese as Guanyin, is the embodiment of the virtue of compassion and became the most important deity in Buddhism around the sixth century.
Rachada added that the Thai Culture Ministry is also confident of the return of two more precious artefacts belonging to the kingdom: one from the Asia Society and Museum in New York, a Buddha statue of the Dvaravati period, and a stone sculpture from the British Museum in London, which is also from the Dvaravati period.
The Thai Culture Ministry managed to negotiate the return of a 500 years’ old antique gold crown from the US in June. The crown, which weighs about 42.6g, is made of 95% pure gold in the Lanna art form and was used to decorate a stone-sculpted Buddha statue, a popular practice during the period as a religious offering.
Thailand also recovered two Khmer lintels from the Asian Art Museum in the US last year. The two Khmer stone lintels are believed to have originated from Prasat Nong Hong in Buri Ram province and Prasat Khao Lon in Sa Kaeo province. The two artifacts are now on show at Phanom Rung historical park in Buri Ram and Sadok Kok Thom historical park in Sa Kaeo province.
The Thai Ministry of Culture was established in 1938 and is responsible for the oversight of culture, religion, and art in Thailand. Over the past five years the department has managed to secure the safe return of about 600 artefacts from various countries.
SOURCE: Thai PBS
