In a historic ceremony held in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum has formally returned a 13th-century volcanic stone sculpture of Ganesha to the government of Indonesia. The artifact, a masterpiece of the Singhasari Kingdom, was taken during the colonial era and has been part of the museum's collection for over a century. This repatriation is part of a broader commitment by the Netherlands to return culturally significant objects to their countries of origin.
The statue is lauded for its exquisite craftsmanship, depicting the deity with intricate jewelry and a serene expression unique to the East Javanese style. Indonesian heritage officials stated that the return of the Singhasari Ganesha is a milestone for national identity and will be the centerpiece of a new gallery dedicated to the artistic heights of the pre-colonial Indonesian empires.