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Greece Welcomes the Return of 29 Illegally Removed Antiquities
Posted On 23 Mar 2023
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Tag: archaeology, cultural heritage Greece, Greek antiquities, Greek Culture Ministry, Greek culture news, illicit trafficking of cultural property, Lina Mendoni, Parthenon Marbles, Parthenon sculptures, Return of Cultural Property, Return of Cultural Property to Countries of Origin, Shelby White Collection
Matthew Bogdanos from Manhattan District Attorney’s Office with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Photo source: Greek Culture Ministry
Twenty-nine illegally removed Greek antiquities, including marble and bronze figurines and gold jewelry, will be finding their way back to Greece, the Culture Ministry announced this week.
More specifically, a rare gold Eid Mar Coin (which commemorates the murder of Julius Caesar), marble and bronze artefacts, earthenware vessels, and a segment off a fresco dating back to prehistoric-Roman times were confiscated during an auction. The seized antiquities were part of a collection owned by New York philanthropist and Metropolitan Museum of Art trustee Shelby White.
A rare gold Eid Mar Coin, which bears the head of Brutus on the front and the weapons of the assassination of Julius Caesar on the reverse side. The inscription Eid – Mar refers to mid-March, the day of Julius Caesar’s assassination – 44-42 BC. Photo source: Greek Culture Ministry
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- Necklace of gold and carnelian. Diameter 13.4 cm, 3rd century BC.
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- Dish of the Later Neolithic period; a marble female figurine with two children's figures on its back abd a arble female figurine with a child figure on its back (5000-3500 BC).
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- Copper hydria with hammered decoration on the handle. Orpheus plays the guitar to a young Satyr who listens spellbound. Height 48.2 cm. 350-340 BC.
The items, which ended up in the US through illegal trafficking networks, were handed over by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during a special ceremony in New York.
“The great successes achieved in recent years by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in combating antiquities trafficking led to the repatriation of hundreds of illegally trafficked antiquities to their countries of origin, among which is Greece,” said Mendoni, expressing her satisfaction with the outcome of investigations.
Pair of gold spiral bracelets with snake heads. 3rd century BC. Photo source: Greek Culture Ministry
Mendoni went on to add that the probes had managed to “deliver a blow to international criminal networks whose actions alter the cultural identity of peoples” converting detached artefacts into works of art.
Cycladic marble figurine complex. Two female figures are depicted with the smaller one on the head of the larger one. Height 46.6 cm. 2800-2600 BC.
The minister underlined that it was a top priority for Greece, “a country that has over the years suffered a significant blow” from the illegal trade and trafficking of cultural property to restore its cultural heritage, seeking any alliance in this direction.
“Antiquities trafficking is a multi-billion dollar business with thieves and smugglers profiting off cultural heritage. Greece, recognized as the cradle of Western Civilization, is particularly vulnerable to this type of criminal activity,” said Homeland Security Agency Director Ivan J Arvelo during the event.
“These precious works of art dating back to 5,000 BC were an important part of life in the ancient world. It is our honor that with our partners we are today repatriating this valuable cultural heritage to the Greek people,” he added.
Earlier this month, the Vatican agreed to return three sculpture fragments from the Parthenon to Greece, hopefully paving the way for other countries and institutions to do the same.
Athens expects to receive the three fragments which have been part of the Vatican Museums collection for two centuries during a special ceremony in the presence of Vatican envoys.
