A large cache of stolen Cambodian crown jewels has been found in London. Some of these ornaments are as old as the 7th century. Experts say most of the jewelry they have never seen before. They were surprised that there was such a thing.
The stolen jewels in the possession of British antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford came to light last summer, the BBC reported.
It said the jewelry collection was secretly returned to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. They will be displayed in the country’s national museum.
Latchford died in 2020 while awaiting trial in the United States. His family promised to return these collections to Cambodia after his death. But the authorities did not know exactly what would be handed over or how.
Brad Gordon, the head of Cambodia’s investigative team, went to London last summer to look at the jewels. He told the BBC that a representative of the Latchford family took him to an undisclosed location. There were cars in the parking lot, with four boxes inside.
Brad Gordon said, ‘Seeing the crown of the ancient Cambodian civilization brought me to tears. I was surprised. They were packed in four boxes in the back of a car.’
Gordon also told the BBC, ‘After opening the boxes, 77 pieces of gold and jeweled jewelery including crowns, belts and earrings were found. A large bowl is found, believed to be of the 11th century. Although it has not yet been tested, it appears to be made of solid gold. Experts believe it was used as a rice bowl for the Ankorian royal family.’
One of the crowns is believed to be of the pre-Ankorian era. Experts believe it may have been made by 7th century craftsmen. A small sculpted flower and other ornaments create mystery. Experts can’t figure out why it was made or how it was used.
It is still unclear how and when the jewelery was stolen and how it reached London. The walls of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have many items carved in stone. The world’s largest religious monument, its construction began in 1122 as a dedication to the Hindu god Vishnu, though it was converted to a Buddhist temple decades later.
Angkor Wat was heavily looted during the French colonial period. During the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s, many of Cambodia’s temples were looted and the country was in conflict for decades.
Archaeologist Sonetra Seng researched Angkorian jewelry for years by examining temple carvings. Finally he got what he wanted.
Sonetra Seng said, ‘The ornaments are proof of what was in the carving. What was a rumor turned out to be true. Cambodia was really prosperous in the past. I still can’t believe it, it’s a collection found abroad.’
Ms Thompson, professor of Southeast Asian art at London’s Soas University, said: ‘It will take time for experts to figure out where the newly discovered jewelery actually came from. Because there are many half-truths in the book.’
Authorities in Cambodia believe more Angkorean jewels are missing. Evidence from Latchford’s emails and letters to the Cambodians shows he attempted to secretly sell the collection from a warehouse in north London in late 2019.
Authorities say they wanted to know from London’s Metropolitan Police whether Latchford’s UK associates were also being questioned. But they did not want to comment on it.
A BBC reporter spoke to ‘eyewitnesses’ who went to Cambodia last year to meet the looters. They said that these were stolen from the temple and sold to Latchford.
However, Hun Sen, the dictatorial leader of the country, must be happy to have the collection of crown jewels back. Because, showing it as a success, they can try to loot the advantage against the opposition in the July elections. Cambodians want all looted things back, they don’t want politics about it.