via Khmer Times, 08 February 2024: Switzerland has repatriated a significant Buddha statue to Cambodia, believed to be from the pre-Angkor or early Angkor period, dating back over 1,000 years (although Cambodian experts think it is much more recent). The statue, confiscated in 2014 by the Canton of Basel, was returned in a ceremony attended by officials and diplomats, symbolizing the strong commitment against illicit trafficking and illegal trading of cultural properties.
A Buddha statue which dates from the pre-Angkor or early Angkor period and is over 1,000 years old was handed over by Switzerland to Cambodia, after the authorities of the Canton of Basel had confiscated the artefact in 2014.
In Dara, Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations and International Organisation in Geneva presided over the restitution ceremony of a Buddha statue to the Kingdom on Tuesday.
Source: Switzerland hands back 1,000-year-old Buddha statue
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I think the headline is a typo on that story. They say it dates back to the 18 or 19th century, so only 100 or so years old.
Yeah that’s true – I’ve updated the post to reflect the more recent dates – thanks!