August 12, 2020
US Museum returns relics thought to be part of 6th century Krishna statue

The National Museum on Monday received several ancient statue parts that are thought to be part of a Krishna statue once located on Phnom Da Mountain in Takeo province, from the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) in the United States

National Museum deputy director of conservation Chea Socheat said he hopes the return of the pieces means the rare 6th-century statue they are believed to be from can be reassembled into its former glory

Socheat said the pieces are now being kept in the National Museum of Cambodia awaiting reassembly by a team of experts with other parts from the Phnom Da mountain statue, also housed in the museum

“The four sandstone pieces returned by CMA included a sidewall of a statue, two calves and one thigh,” he said

“Our experts are analysing the pieces and intersections before attempting physical reassembly

The condition of the pieces handed to the National Museum reflects their age, but reassembly looks possible,” said Socheat

He said preparation for installation will be done with the utmost care, as it is a priceless piece of Cambodian heritage left behind by the Kingdom’s ancestors

“We cannot currently say for certain that the pieces are taken from the Phnom Da mountain statue

However, a picture we have dated between 1923 and 1927 appears to show the statue, we believe the pieces are from, in a cave near stairs by the mountain,” said Socheat

“The Krishna statue is of great value to the people of Cambodia and the world

This statue is a magnificent work of art, that is nearly life size and associated with Hindu beliefs,” he added

Socheat said many small Krishna statues have been found in the past in Cambodia, but life-size statues are rare, with only three currently found so far.
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