Thai Buddha statue not smuggled: SOAS

By Phatarawadee Phataranawik 
The Nation

 

The 13th-century Lopburi Buddha torso of Thai origin stands in front of Brunei Gallery in London's SOAS. Photo courtesy of Angela Chiu

 

London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has denied claims the prestigious institution possesses a 13th-century sculpture likely smuggled from Thailand

 

“We strongly reject any suggestion that SOAS University of London has handled this donation improperly. The allegations made in the blog post by this student are without foundation,” SOAS spokesperson Vesna Siljanovska told The Nation by email. 

 

Siljanovska was referring to allegations made by SOAS scholar Angela Chiu, who had accused her school of accepting the one-metre-tall Buddha statue that stands at the entrance to its Brunei Gallery. It was gifted to the SOAS by American alumni Mary and Paul Slawson who reportedly bought it minus documents attesting to its provenance some 30 years ago. On its website, the SOAS describes the statue as “a delightful 13th-century Lopburi Buddha torso of Thai origin”. It has denied any wrongdoing in accepting the sculpture.

 

Siljanovska added due diligence was carried out by SOAS in accordance with SOAS’s Collections Management Policy and Due Diligence Procedure for the acceptance of Philanthropic Gifts. These make clear that:

“The School will not acquire … any object or specimen unless the Governing Body or Responsible Officer is satisfied that the School can acquire a valid title to the item in question, and that in particular it has not been acquired in, or exported from, its country of origin (or any intermediate country in which it may have been legally owned) in violation of that country's laws.”

 

Siljanovska said: “In line with this policy, before accepting the gift, checks were carried out by our experienced Galleries and Exhibitions Manager and included placing the details of the object on the Art Loss Register (the largest art data base in the world for lost or stolen artworks and artefacts).”

 

On Thursday the Foreign Ministry announced that Thai Ambassador to the UK Pisanu Suvanajata had contacted the SOAS director, Baroness Valerie Amos, about the case. Thai embassy officials in London also met with John Hollingworth, head of Galleries and Exhibitions at the SOAS. “He informed them that his team had checked with the International Council of Museums and found that the artefact is not on the ICOM [International Council of Museums] Red Lists of lost or vulnerable artworks.”

 

However, Chiu commented that checking the ICOM Red List was not sufficient to identify provenance. There are no Thai objects on the Red List.

 

“ICOM does not say that checking its Red List is a substitute for documented provenance. ICOM’s Code of Ethics states: ‘Museums should avoid displaying or otherwise using material of questionable origin or lacking provenance. They should be aware that such displays or usage can be seen to condone and contribute to the illicit trade in cultural property.’”

 

SOAS is now preparing documents and information on the statue for presentation to the Thai Embassy in London. Once it has gathered more information on the case, the Foreign Ministry will report back to the Culture Ministry’s Fine Art Department for possible action.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30347863

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-16

Soas should sue daft miss Chiu

 

Ironic these overseas students coming to study in the UK and then complaining about UK imperialism stealing Overseas antiquities.

52 minutes ago, humbug said:

Soas should sue daft miss Chiu

 

Ironic these overseas students coming to study in the UK and then complaining about UK imperialism stealing Overseas antiquities.

Which non-imperialist country would be a better one daft Miss Chiu should study?

 

Edited June 16, 20188 yr by bluesofa
misprit

Me thinks the university should sue for defamation. Really promote the culture of the statue.

 

 

It’s always a tricky one - Museums around the world stuffed with national treasures . 

Many were looted during wars / occupations many many years ago. 

 

This image must have been stolen/ looted  from its original temple and shipped to Europe / America were it was sold . So Angela has a point  

5 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Which non-imperialist country would be a better one daft Miss Chiu should study?

 

China, obviously.

26 minutes ago, peterb17 said:

It’s always a tricky one - Museums around the world stuffed with national treasures . 

Many were looted during wars / occupations many many years ago. 

 

This image must have been stolen/ looted  from its original temple and shipped to Europe / America were it was sold . So Angela has a point  

Yes it is tricky.  30 years ago the law was far more relaxed and antiquities were traded and exported on a daily basis.  Now (in Thailand) you need a certificate from the ministry of arts to export any Thai antiquity. These days that also includes Buddha images from Burma and Cambodia.

 

This 13th Century torso itself would not be considered to be of particular historical importance but with a piece that is that old,  exported without provenance and documentation,  it will be something that will raise objections, I am sure.

 

I doubt that Thailand would want the sculpture back but a donation to the Arts Department would, I am sure, be more than acceptable ? 

 

  

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

allegations made in the blog post

If only someone would make a blog post about Thai criminals hiding in the UK. That would make the Thai foreign ministry spring in to action.

 

42 minutes ago, Darcula said:

If only someone would make a blog post about Thai criminals hiding in the UK. That would make the Thai foreign ministry spring in to action.

 

Difference is: foreign ministry would be out on a limb with those Thai criminals, whereas the statue is pretty 'armless.

 

2 hours ago, hansnl said:

China, obviously.

Or maybe Russia would suit her better.

Me thinks I just gonna lay down and laugh myself to death.

3 hours ago, Darcula said:

If only someone would make a blog post about Thai criminals hiding in the UK. That would make the Thai foreign ministry spring in to action.

 

What criminals, are you saying there are Thai criminals in the UK - no, never, couldn't be , impossible - they would be immediately extradited back to Thailand if that were the case. 

Edited June 16, 20188 yr by Artisi

1 hour ago, Get Real said:

Me thinks I just gonna lay down and laugh myself to death.

so long as you don't pee your pants ...

I think I've seen those on sale in Pattaya. ? 

At least it will be taken care of