ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON — The United States has returned two ancient Indonesian Buddhist statues dating back to the 8th century, restoring a valuable part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage after the artifacts spent decades outside their country of origin.
The repatriation was formally announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York during a handover ceremony at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia.
The two returned artifacts are bronze standing statues of Buddha Avalokiteshvara, measuring approximately 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) and 20 inches (50.8 centimeters) in height. The statues are believed to have been illegally removed from archaeological sites in Indonesia by organized looting networks before entering the international antiquities market.
The artifacts were later acquired through Bangkok-based antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford, who sold them between 2003 and 2007 to a private collector in the United States. The collector voluntarily surrendered dozens of Southeast Asian antiquities after concerns emerged over their provenance, paving the way for their return to their countries of origin.
“Today, we celebrate the return of Indonesia’s cultural heritage to the Indonesian people,” US Attorney Jay Clayton said.
Clayton stressed that the United States remains committed to fighting the illegal trafficking of stolen and looted cultural objects and ensuring that historical treasures are returned to their rightful places.
“We will continue working with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to stop those who seek to profit from historically significant works of art,” he said.
A New Chapter in Indonesia–US Cultural Cooperation
The repatriation represents a significant achievement in international efforts to protect cultural heritage and prevent the illicit movement of archaeological treasures across borders.
Since 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, together with HSI, has investigated, identified, and facilitated the return of dozens of stolen or illegally trafficked antiquities from Southeast Asia previously held by individuals and institutions in the United States.
The case is connected to Douglas Latchford, who was indicted in 2019 in New York over allegations of orchestrating a long-running scheme involving the trade of looted Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities in the global art market. The charges were later dismissed following his death, but efforts to recover stolen cultural objects have continued.
For Indonesia, the return of the two Avalokiteshvara statues represents far more than the recovery of ancient artifacts. It symbolizes the restoration of a historic legacy and strengthens international cooperation in safeguarding cultural identity.
The repatriation also reinforces a broader global message: cultural heritage is not merely a commercial commodity, but a shared legacy of civilizations that carries historical, spiritual, and humanitarian value. (AT Network)
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