The display of two 900-year-old bronze sculptures – the standing Shiva, known as “Golden Boy,” and the “Kneeling Female” – is open for the public from today onward, in the Lopburi Room of the Mahasura Singhanat Building at the National Museum in Bangkok, after they were returned to Thailand from the U.S.A. on 20 May 2024.
The Golden Boy and the Kneeling Female were deaccessioned from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) in New York because they were found to have been illegally taken out of the Kingdom of Thailand. As requested by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, it was deemed appropriate to return them to Thailand.
The bronze sculptures are remarkable examples of advancements in the technology of metal casting. They reflect Thailand’s historical prosperity and showcase exquisite craftmanship. These artifacts can be studied and compared with other contemporary sculptures found in the northeastern region of Thailand.
These ancient artifacts are exhibited alongside a related large bronze sculpture from Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai in Si Sa Ket Province, offering a glimpse into Thailand’s artistic heritage from the 11th century. (PRD)
