A THAI archaeologist quashed rumours that the antique bronze sculpture “Golden Boy” which the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City is officially handing over to Thailand today (May 21) together with another antique bronze sculpture of a kneeling woman had been adorned with diamonds, Amarin TV said.
Dr. Tanongsak Hanwong, an independent scholar of archeology and a member of a committee monitoring Thai antiquities abroad, said there is no evidence that Golden Boy had been adorned with diamond jewellery including in the crown, eyes, necklace, bracelet, and a diamond and onyx belt, which are presumed missing upon return to Thailand.
Mrs. Nil Paetsakul, 69, a resident of Buriram, whose family had excavated and found Golden Boy said when the sculpture was first found it was adorned with these diamonds.
However Tanongsak said there is no archeological evidence or any record to confirm the existence of the diamond jewellery as local residents talk about so it’s just a story.
Even so, the 10th Regional Office of Fine Arts in Nakhon Ratchasima confirms that Khmer sculptures were adorned with gold jewellery with some exhibited at Phimai National Museum in this northeastern province.
Additionally Mr. Douglas A.J. Latchford, co-author of the book “Khmer Gold: Gifts for the Gods’ ‘ and who was involved in taking Golden Boy out of Thailand, had mentioned several pieces of gold jewellery that came with Khmer sculptures. His daughter has returned many of these jewellery pieces to the Cambodian government.
Tanongsak further explained that there are no traces of separate jewellery being attached to Golden Boy so it is assumed that it may have originally been part of the sculpture.
However the working group has not given up on the issue of possible missing jewellery and will continue to search for more information and evidence to get a clear answer, he added.
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Top and Front Page: The Golden Boy and seated woman antique bronze sculptures being returned to Thailand by the Met. Photo: Thai Rath
First insert: Dr. Tanongsak Hanwong. Photo: Amarin TV
Second insert: Golden Boy. Photo: Amarin TV
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