Cleveland Museum of Art returns sculpture to Cambodia

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The Cleveland Museum of Art announced it is returning its sculpture of a Hindu god to Cambodia.

The sculpture of Hanuman has belonged to the museum since 1982. But in 2013, museum officials learned the statue was likely part of a temple complex called Prasat Chen.

The Cleveland Museum of Art sent experts to Cambodia and recently found evidence the 10th-century sculpture was at the temple’s gate.

With the sculpture’s return, the National Museum of Cambodia agrees to loan works of art to Cleveland.

“The return of the Hanuman will facilitate Cambodia’s plans to reconstruct a most important Khmer temple and paved the way for future cooperation between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Cleveland Museum of Art. We look forward to continuing and enhancing the excellent relations we have with the government of Cambodia and with the National Museum,” said Dr. William M. Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art in a news release on Monday.

The Cambodian government said the museum acquired the Hanuman properly.