CAMBODIA

historic return of three sacred Khmer sculptures from the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian

16 DECEMBER 2025, Phnom penh

Following several years of negotiations, on 16 December 2025, the National Museum of Asian Art of the Smithsonian Institute returned three sacred Khmer sculptures to Cambodia, which were removed from the country during decades of civil unrest and looting: the Head of Harihara (10th century), the Female Deity – Goddess Uma (10th century), and Prajnaparamita (late 12th century). These sculptures were officially approved for repatriation by the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents on 27 October 2025.

The return marks the first repatriation conducted under the Smithsonian’s Ethical Return Policy for the National Museum of Asian Art, reflecting a growing global commitment to the ethical restitution of cultural heritage. It followed an extensive provenance investigation led collaboratively by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

H.E. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, emphasised that the sculptures are “living embodiments of our ancestors’ spirit and the identity of the Khmer people”. She described the returns as a deeply meaningful step toward cultural restoration for the Cambodian people. 

The Minister added: “We hope that other museums will follow the leadership of the Smithsonian in adopting policies of ethical returns”, and noted that such initiatives make it easier for countries like Cambodia to recover sacred artefacts lost during times of conflict.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the Smithsonian Institution, particularly Director Chase Robinson and the museum’s provenance and curatorial staff, for their cooperation. She also thanked the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodian archaeologists and researchers, and the National Museum, as well as key negotiators Bradley J. Gordon of Edenbridge Asia and Melina Antoniadis of NOSTOS Strategies.

Details of this return can be found in The New York Times, Khmer Times, and the Smithsonian’s website.