The Manhattan Attorney’s Office in the United States handed over to Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni 29 Greek antiquities stolen and smuggled out of Macedonia, Epirus, Central Greece, the Cyclades and Crete. Artifacts ended up in the United States through criminal networks of illegal circulation of cultural property.
Among the items returned are marble and bronze figurines of people and animals, silver, bronze and faience vessels, gold and bronze jewelry, part of a fresco that was in the Shelby White collection.
In addition, an extremely rare gold coin, which refers to the Ides of March (EID MAR), the day of the assassination of Julius Caesar, and was minted in 42 BC. The coin was seized at the auction house.
These antiquities cover a wide chronological range – from prehistoric times to Roman times – and include a bronze cup crater dated to 350 BC, which was removed in January. Neolithic family group dated to 5000–3500 BC and valued at $3 million.
All items were reportedly confiscated as a result of numerous criminal investigations against known traffickers and smugglers.
The investigation was led by Matthew Bogdanos, head of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Division. Alvin L. Bragg, District Attorney of Manhattan, announced the return to Greece of 29 looted antiquities.
The antiquities were returned during a repatriation ceremony at the Greek consulate attended by Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and Ivan J. Arvelo, special agent in charge of homeland security investigations in New York.
“The antiquities trade is a multi-billion dollar business where looters and smugglers profit from cultural heritage, and Greece, long considered the cradle of Western civilization, is particularly susceptible to this kind of criminal enterprise,” Arvelo said. – These valuable artifacts date back to 5000 BC and were an important part of life in the ancient world. We are honored to join our partners today in the repatriation of this invaluable cultural heritage to the people of Greece.”
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