The estate of antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford has reached a settlement in a civil case, agreeing to pay $12 million and relinquish a 7th-century Vietnamese sculpture. The case alleged that Latchford profited millions of dollars from the sale of stolen artifacts. Julia Copleston, Latchford’s daughter, inherited over 125 statues and gold relics that were claimed to be looted from Cambodia. In 2021, Copleston agreed to return the 125 objects to Cambodia. The settlement also requires Copleston to surrender a bronze sculpture of the Hindu goddess Durga, allegedly purchased with “tainted funds” after being stolen from Vietnam in 2008.
The Department of Justice stated that Latchford transferred proceeds from the sale of stolen antiquities to offshore bank accounts in the Bailiwick of Jersey. Investigators discovered that between 2003 and 2020, Latchford received over $12 million in UK and New York bank accounts from the sale of stolen and smuggled antiquities from Southeast Asia. At least $12 million of these funds were then transferred to his Jersey bank account.
US Attorney Damian Williams commended the settlement, emphasising the relentless pursuit of illicit trade in cultural patrimony. Latchford had been indicted in 2019 on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and other crimes related to the sale of looted Cambodian antiquities. He was accused of falsifying provenance, invoices, and shipping documents, as well as misrepresenting the origin and excavation dates of the works. Latchford gained attention in 2011 when a 10th-century statue of the Khmer warrior Duryodhana, claimed by Cambodia to be looted from a temple complex in Koh Ker, was set for auction at Sotheby’s in New York. The statue was later returned to Cambodia, and Latchford was accused of involvement in its movement. The indictment was dismissed upon Latchford’s death in 2020 at the age of 89 in Bangkok.
Several institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Denver Art Museum, have returned objects linked to Koh Ker due to Latchford’s trafficking activities. The recent podcast series “Dynamite Doug” focuses on Latchford’s involvement in the illicit trade.
Feature Image: An image of the four-armed goddess from an email sent by Latchford. Courtesy: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
