(New York, June 10, 2026)—As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible collection stewardship, The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today the return of two works of art to the Kingdom of Cambodia: an Angkor period stone Guardian Deity (Rakshasa), ca. 921-945; and a sandstone lintel with a ‘Dragon in Foliage’ from the mid-7th century.
The repatriation follows new information that emerged through the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s ongoing investigations into art dealer Doris Weiner, which helped determine the works should be returned to Cambodia.
The Guardian Deity and lintel were formally returned to the Kingdom of Cambodia at a ceremony attended today by His Excellency Mr. Kuong Koy, Ambassador of Cambodia to the United States; His Excellency Mr. Chhea Keo, Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations and former Ambassador of Cambodia to the United States; and His Excellency Mr. Samol Ney, Director General, among other distinguished dignitaries. The Met was represented by Head of Provenance Lucian Simmons and Curator of the Arts of South and Southeast Asian Art John Guy.
“The Met is committed to the responsible collecting of art and the shared stewardship of the world’s cultural heritage,” said Max Hollein, The Met’s Director and Chief Executive Officer. “As part of this effort, the Museum has significantly expanded its provenance research work and continues the proactive review of its collection. We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with colleagues in Cambodia and for the constructive engagement with the authorities and experts whose work helped clarify the histories of these objects. The Met remains dedicated to working collaboratively to support scholarship, cultural exchange, and the shared appreciation of Cambodia’s rich artistic heritage.”
Ambassador Koy Kuong stated: "On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Metropolitan Museum of Arts for good will and kind cooperation on repatriation of artifacts. The return of these priceless works means the return of the soul and spirit of Cambodia back home."
Lucian Simmons, The Met’s Head of Provenance stated, “The return of these two sculptures to the Kingdom of Cambodia represents another important step in our ongoing efforts to address complex collecting histories through research, dialogue, and cooperation. We look forward to continuing this important work with our colleagues in Cambodia and around the world.”
Today’s announcement follows The Met’s return of 14 sculptures to the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2023, following an investigation into the dealer Douglas Latchford. The Met has a long history of partnering with Cambodia, including for the major international exhibition Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia, 5th to 8th Century curated by The Met in 2014, which featured major loans from the national museums of Cambodia. The Met has also worked with Cambodia on prior repatriations: in 2013, The Met voluntarily returned to Cambodia two objects known as the “Koh Ker Kneeling Attendants,” which were also associated with Mr. Latchford.
Provenance Research at The Met
Every one of the more than 1.5 million objects in The Met collection has a unique history, purpose, and context. Part of the Museum’s mission is to research and present the provenance of every object, enabling The Met to continuously expand and diversify the narratives presented in the galleries and on the website.
The Met’s provenance team—the largest dedicated team of provenance researchers of any museum in the world—works with The Met’s curators, conservators, and scientists, as well as internal and external partners, in conducting a systematic review of the provenance of the Museum’s holdings and ensuring that all objects entering the collection meet The Met’s strict collecting policies. The Met has long been a leader in the field, providing provenance information on most of our collection, with hundreds of thousands of objects available online. In recent years, these efforts have expanded the provenance of nearly 1,000 objects.
In cases where The Met learns—through its own research or from external sources—that a work should be returned to its country of origin, the Museum has a long and well-documented history of transferring works to their rightful owners. Further information on The Met’s collecting practices and activities is available online.
Cultural Heritage at The Met
One of the most critical areas of focus for The Met’s provenance research efforts is ancient art, archaeological materials, and other cultural property, including works of art from once-colonized areas. As part of its commitment to the shared stewardship of cultural heritage, The Met collaborates with countries around the world to exchange information, museological resources, collection care, object loans, and more. This collective understanding is deepened further through convenings with international experts, interpretive framing within gallery displays, and the global accessibility of research and object histories via metmuseum.org.
About The Met
The Met is currently ushering the Museum into the future by renovating one-quarter of its two-million-square-foot building on Fifth Avenue galleries. These reimagined spaces will tell new stories through the breadth of the collection, while improving visitor experience, infrastructure, and sustainability. This remarkable $1.5 billion capital campaign includes: the acclaimed Michael C. Rockefeller Wing for the arts of Africa, Oceania and the Ancient Americas (opened summer 2025); the new Condé M. Nast Galleries (opened May 10, 2026, with the inaugural exhibition Costume Art); new galleries for the Arts of Ancient West Asia and Ancient Cyprus (opening 2027); reimagined spaces for dining and retail inside a newly reactivated entrance off The Met's plaza (opening 2027); and the transformative Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art (opening 2030). Learn more here.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 by a group of American citizens—businessmen and financiers as well as leading artists and thinkers of the day—who wanted to create a museum to bring art and art education to the American people. Today, The Met displays tens of thousands of objects covering 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online. Since its founding, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum’s galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Returns Two Sculptures to the Kingdom of Cambodia
Contact: Ann Bailis
Communications@metmuseum.org