The recent decision by The Art Institute of Chicago to deaccession and return to Thailand a 12th-century Khmer pilaster depicting the Hindu god Krishna represents a significant advancement in the labyrinthine field of provenance research. Initially misattributed to Cambodia, comprehensive archival research, detailed stylistic analysis, and on-site investigations verified that the pilaster originally adorned Prasat Phanom Rung in Buriram province, northeast Thailand. This mirrors the earlier return of the reclining Vishnu, or Phra Narai, lintel in 1988, which also originated from the same doorframe at Phanom Rung and has since been reinstalled during the temple’s modern restoration.

Both artifacts embarked on their long journey from Bangkok to Chicago in the mid-1960s. This circuitous pathway highlighted the intricate challenges associated with the accurate provenience of Khmer artifacts from this region. The decision to reunite the Krishna pilaster and the Vishnu lintel with their original doorframe at Phanom Rung not only corrects historical inaccuracies but also underscores the importance of reconnecting cultural artifacts with their original contexts.