US federal investigators in New York cited Toek Tik’s accounts when they indicted Latchford in 2019 on charges of illegally trading in Cambodian cultural artifacts. Toek Tik, who spent several years cooperating with Cambodian authorities, said he dug the objects from jungle-entangled Khmer temples and burial grounds, sometimes finding the regalia in ceramic jars or under statues of figures from Hindu mythology. In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Toek Tik, a reformed looter, said he had found and sold several of the items pictured in Khmer Gold. Gordon said that, even with the return, as many as 30 major objects pictured in the book, including gilded Buddhas, masks adorned with thick gold earrings, and heavy pendants featuring rubies and pearls, are thought to be in the hands of private collectors, many of whom did business with Latchford.Ĭambodian officials say their research indicates that Latchford bought many of the items directly from the leaders of organised looting gangs or from dealers in Thailand who were similarly acquiring them. In 2008, Latchford, who had homes in Bangkok and London, collaborated on a book called Khmer Gold: Gifts for the Gods that was filled with photos of the ancient splendours he had avidly acquired.Ĭambodian officials have said the book shocked them because they had not realised that many of the items pictured even existed. “We really don’t want to put a price on it,” he said. But Bradley Gordon, a Phnom Penh-based lawyer for Cambodia who negotiated the return of the items, said the value was difficult to estimate because Angkorian gold is rare, has never been lawfully exported from Cambodia and almost never appears on the market. “This is much more than what is in our museum.”īy weight alone, officials said, the gold is worth more than $1 million. “We did not know these items existed,” added Touch, who was in London last week to help oversee the return of the objects. Returning the gold jewellery, much of which had been packed away in a London warehouse, was part of that deal.Īs with the many statues, relics and religious totems that Cambodia has lost, the gold appears to have been looted from ancient temples and burial grounds between the 1970s and early 2000s, a time when the nation endured war and genocide, and later political upheaval.Ĭambodian researchers believe that some of the gold adorned the earliest Angkorian kings, who founded the Khmer Empire (802 to 1431) and built its majestic temples. His daughter subsequently returned more than 125 of his Khmer statues and other ancient items to Cambodia under a negotiated agreement. When he died in 2020 at age 88 in Bangkok, Latchford was under indictment in the United States. Hab Touch, secretary of state with the Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts, said in an interview that the return of the gold items amounts to “getting back the crown jewels of the Angkor Empire”. Other items were also treasured legacies of Cambodia’s past: belts and necklaces woven from fine gold filaments, or body ornaments shaped into rosettes and scrolling vines.Īll were part of a hoard of 77 gold relics that Cambodian officials believe were looted by tomb raiders and whose return was celebrated on Monday in Phnom Penh.Įach of the items came from the collection of Douglas Latchford, a dealer and scholar of ancient Cambodian art who was accused late in his life of having been an antiquities trafficking kingpin. Some were jewel-encrusted diadems worn by Angkor royalty as far back as the ninth century. (Cambodia Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts via The New York Times) Scanned handwriting images also may be uploaded.An Angkorian crown made from hammered gold is among the items that have been returned to Cambodia. Handwriting photographed on lined or creased paper, with faded text or that is not clearly photographed, may not be suitable for our engraving process. *NOTE: For best engraving results, handwriting images should be submitted on unlined paper with clearly written text and photographed in bright, even lighting. Makes a meaningful and thoughtful gift.Įnter personalization instructions in box provided, upload legible handwriting and we'll take care of the rest! ** A proof will be emailed to you for approval.Ornaments may be displayed on a Christmas tree, ornament stand or anywhere in your home.Includes ribbon for easy hanging (ribbon selections will vary).Sentiment is professionally laser engraved for a lasting impression.Made from genuine solid wood, 1/8" thickness.Treasured Keepsake Handwriting Wood Ornamentĭo you have saved greeting cards, letters or documents with your loved one's handwriting? Make it personal with this laser engraved custom ornament complete with the handwriting of you or your special loved one.
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