Art
Disgraced art dealer's family returns rare royal jewels to Cambodia – CNN
While most monarchies’ crown jewels are heavily protected or given pride of place in a museum, dozens of Cambodia’s were, until recently, stashed away in four boxes near London.
The crown jewels were among 77 pieces of centuries-old gold jewelry handed over by the family of Douglas Latchford, a British antiquities dealer and leading scholar on Khmer art who in 2019 was accused by US authorities of trafficking artifacts looted from Cambodia.
Lawyer Bradley Gordon, who advises the country’s culture ministry and is leading Cambodia’s efforts to repatriate stolen artifacts, first saw the jewels last summer when a representative for Latchford’s family took him to a parking lot in the English countryside outside London. There, in the back of a car, sat four boxes containing a collection of Cambodia’s crown jewels.
Dozens of Cambodian crown jewels were among the pieces returned. Credit: Steve Wakeham/Cambodian Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts
The trove includes several crowns, necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings, arm bands and amulets, according to the culture ministry. One of the more unusual pieces, Gordon said, is a gold bowl that likely would have been used by kings to eat rice. However, because the artifacts are believed to have been looted, their exact provenance and usage is unknown.
“There’s not an encyclopedia of Khmer gold to turn to, other than what was written by Douglas Latchford,” Gordon said in a phone interview.
The items are thought to hail either from the Angkorian period, which began in the 9th century, or earlier. But other details, like who owned the jewelry, will be determined only after additional study, Gordon added.
The 77 pieces are expected to go on display at Cambodia’s national museum in the spring. Many of the artifacts have never been seen by the public, though photos of some of them were published in a book that Latchford co-authored entitled “Khmer Gold: Gifts of the Gods,” the ministry said in its press release.
“It is an astonishing collection,” Gordon said, adding that the recently recovered items of jewelry were Latchford’s “prized possessions, from what I understand.”
A gold bowl from Latchford’s collection may have been used by kings. Credit: Steve Wakeham/Cambodian Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts
According to Gordon, many of the pieces were likely used to adorn statues in temples, while others, like the crowns and necklaces, may have been worn by the Angkorian royal family. US prosecutors say that, like much of Cambodia’s missing cultural heritage, items handled by Latchford were illegally removed from the country during the turbulent years of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime and the subsequent civil war.
The artifacts’ return comes as the Cambodian government increases its efforts to repatriate relics taken from temples and archeological sites — and as Western museums face growing calls to give back treasures taken illicitly or by force.
Speaking to CNN via email in 2021, Latchford’s daughter said that “many” Khmer items in her family’s collection had “impeccable provenance,” although she pledged to return them all, regardless of whether she believed they had been looted. Gordon meanwhile said that Cambodia considers all items recovered from Latchford’s collection, and any he sold to others, to be stolen.
Cambodia’s culture ministry said the returned items are from the Angkorian period, which began in the 9th century, or earlier. Credit: Steve Wakeham/Cambodian Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts
“Cambodia never gave export license for any of this, so in our view it’s stolen and it needs to come home,” he said.
In a statement about the latest repatriations, Cambodia’s Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeurng Sackona, said: “We consider such returns as a noble act, which not only demonstrates important contributions to a nation’s culture, but also contributes to the reconciliation and healing of Cambodians who went through decades of civil war and suffered tremendously from the tragedy of the Khmer Rouge genocide.”
Gordon said Cambodia expects even more items to be returned soon, representing hundreds of repatriated antiquities in total. More than 100 objects from Latchford’s personal collection have already been returned, the lawyer said, adding that the late dealer’s daughter “has another 50 bronzes and … more stone statues that she’s agreed to give back.”
If Cambodia finds and repatriates items Latchford sold to dealers, collectors and museums around the world, the number of recovered artifacts could double. “At the end of the day, we might have brought home maybe 300 objects,” Gordon said.
Art
Calvin Lucyshyn: Vancouver Island Art Dealer Faces Fraud Charges After Police Seize Millions in Artwork
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vancouver Island art community, a local art dealer has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000. Calvin Lucyshyn, the former operator of the now-closed Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay, faces the charge after police seized hundreds of artworks, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, from various storage sites in the Greater Victoria area.
Alleged Fraud Scheme
Police allege that Lucyshyn had been taking valuable art from members of the public under the guise of appraising or consigning the pieces for sale, only to cut off all communication with the owners. This investigation began in April 2022, when police received a complaint from an individual who had provided four paintings to Lucyshyn, including three works by renowned British Columbia artist Emily Carr, and had not received any updates on their sale.
Further investigation by the Saanich Police Department revealed that this was not an isolated incident. Detectives found other alleged victims who had similar experiences with Winchester Galleries, leading police to execute search warrants at three separate storage locations across Greater Victoria.
Massive Seizure of Artworks
In what has become one of the largest art fraud investigations in recent Canadian history, authorities seized approximately 1,100 pieces of art, including more than 600 pieces from a storage site in Saanich, over 300 in Langford, and more than 100 in Oak Bay. Some of the more valuable pieces, according to police, were estimated to be worth $85,000 each.
Lucyshyn was arrested on April 21, 2022, but was later released from custody. In May 2024, a fraud charge was formally laid against him.
Artwork Returned, but Some Remain Unclaimed
In a statement released on Monday, the Saanich Police Department confirmed that 1,050 of the seized artworks have been returned to their rightful owners. However, several pieces remain unclaimed, and police continue their efforts to track down the owners of these works.
Court Proceedings Ongoing
The criminal charge against Lucyshyn has not yet been tested in court, and he has publicly stated his intention to defend himself against any pending allegations. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10, 2024.
Impact on the Local Art Community
The news of Lucyshyn’s alleged fraud has deeply affected Vancouver Island’s art community, particularly collectors, galleries, and artists who may have been impacted by the gallery’s operations. With high-value pieces from artists like Emily Carr involved, the case underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist in art transactions.
For many art collectors, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for fraud in the art world, particularly when it comes to dealing with private galleries and dealers. The seizure of such a vast collection of artworks has also led to questions about the management and oversight of valuable art pieces, as well as the importance of transparency and trust in the industry.
As the case continues to unfold in court, it will likely serve as a cautionary tale for collectors and galleries alike, highlighting the need for due diligence in the sale and appraisal of high-value artworks.
While much of the seized artwork has been returned, the full scale of the alleged fraud is still being unraveled. Lucyshyn’s upcoming court appearances will be closely watched, not only by the legal community but also by the wider art world, as it navigates the fallout from one of Canada’s most significant art fraud cases in recent memory.
Art collectors and individuals who believe they may have been affected by this case are encouraged to contact the Saanich Police Department to inquire about any unclaimed pieces. Additionally, the case serves as a reminder for anyone involved in high-value art transactions to work with reputable dealers and to keep thorough documentation of all transactions.
As with any investment, whether in art or other ventures, it is crucial to be cautious and informed. Art fraud can devastate personal collections and finances, but by taking steps to verify authenticity, provenance, and the reputation of dealers, collectors can help safeguard their valuable pieces.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
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