Norwegian private collector to return 2 artifacts to Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 16 (Xinhua)-- The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that Morten Bosterud, chairman of Atlasklinikken Company of Norway, will return from his private collection to Cambodia two Cambodian artifacts.

One is the 9th century head of Shiva God, and the other is the 12th century head of Male Divinity, said the ministry said in a news statement.

"Mr. Morten Bosterud will hand over the two Cambodian artifacts and another 9 pieces of works of art to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, with the presence of Cambodian Culture and Fine Arts Minister Pheoung Sackona in a ceremony on Oct. 20 at the National Museum in Phnom Penh," the statement said.

After the handover ceremony, Morten Bosterud will be awarded with the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia by Pheoung Sackona in appreciation for his gift of Cambodian artifacts to Cambodia, it said.

Numerous Cambodian ancient objects had been stolen from various temples and illegally exported to other countries during the 1970s when the country fell into civil war.

In the last three years, auction houses and museums in the United States had returned six looted ancient statues to Cambodia, while Thailand returned 16 smuggled ancient treasures to the country.

source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-10/16/c_134720807.htm