While in Phnom Penh, I decided to make a unplanned visit to the National Museum. Though not my first time, the visit was as interesting and worthwhile as always. The major draw this time, though, was nothing else but a new exhibit on rare Angkorian gold and jewelry, never seen before in Cambodia.
A recent donation by British businessman and an author of Khmer Gold Douglas A. J. Latchford, the collection dates back to the 11th-12th century. It comprises of exquisitely designed belts, rings, headdresses and diadems, crowns, earrings, armbands, chignon covers and bracelets, believed to be worn by ancient Khmer kings in the heydays of the Khmer Empire. While their age and origin remain unclear, the items were found by Latchford in antique stores in Bangkok.
Some of the jewelry currently on display. Please excuse my abuse of the “no photography in the museum” rule.
The sight of them totally stunned me. Until that very day, I had always thought that these precious items had already been lost. I am thankful to Mr. Latchford, who was so kind to return them to Cambodia. Your kindness will be forever remembered by all Cambodians, and I’ll proudly say that you are one of the rare heroes out there that our world needs.
As for my readers, please don’t miss this exhibit! Do stop by the National Museum whenever you have a chance. I guarantee you will love this!
Nice shot. I like these pictures.
ស្អាត និង ឡូយ។ សំណាងណាស់ដែលរកឃើញមកវិញ។
Did you see the Angkor’s Ancestors exhibit as well? I am very excited to check it out when I’m there next month!
yes, i’m sure i will love it! thanks a lot, sir…
@ Alison: I did, and it was pretty impressive. Were you part of that project?
Gosh, that is nice to see some of our treasures make it back to it original place. Now, we got to asked the French to donate them back to us, since they took so much.
Look so beautiful and look exactly like the Khmer King wearing at the Angkor Wat bas relief.
Thank you for photos of a place I’ll probably never be able to visit. The architecture is fascinating. Just look at that treasure!
We’ve seen drawings of the crown, but to see that an authentic golden crown exists is awesome.
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[...] Ignoring the no-photography rule, Mongkol shows us some of the spectacular jewellery on display at the Khmer Gold exhibition in the National Museum at Phnom Penh. [...]
Awe too bad I missed it when I was there.
It’s so beautiful. thanks for the heads up I’ll definitely head up there the next time I’m in Cambodia with the family. Oh, if you hadn’t taken those pictures, then none of us would have ever seen it in the blogosphere. Thanks!
[...] visited the National Museum and was able to view the recently donated rare Angkorian gold and jewelry which have never been seen before in Cambodia. Cancel this [...]