Courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.
The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) has announced that it will return a sandstone pilaster dating back to the twelfth century to Thailand. Initially believed to be from Cambodia, this intricately carved architectural piece was part of a doorframe in the Phanom Rung temple in eastern Thailand. The temple, situated on the rim of a volcano, holds significant cultural importance as one of the monuments erected by the Khmer people, who are native to the region that is now Cambodia.
The pilaster, made of red sandstone, depicts the Hindu god Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana—a sacred site in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. According to Hindu scripture, Krishna saved the hill and its villagers from a flood caused by the Vedic god Indra. Remarkably, this artifact is the second item repatriated by the AIC from the Phanom Rung temple. In 1988, the museum returned a large fragment of the Vishnu lintel, which had been part of a horizontal doorway support and was suspected to have been looted from the temple in the 1960s.
Phnombootra Chandrajoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department in the Kingdom of Thailand, emphasized the significance of this act: “This valuable artifact is from one of the most significant archaeological sites in Thailand, and we are glad it is returning to its motherland.” AIC President and Director James Rondeau expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, highlighting their commitment to mutual learning and cultural respect.
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen1@gmail.com
