New York DA’s Office to Repatriate $1 Million Worth of Ancient Greek Artifacts

 A collection of 11 ancient Greek artifacts, with a combined value of approximately $1 million, is set to be returned to Greece by the New York District Attorney’s Office. This repatriation follows a ceremony in Manhattan scheduled for February 25, where the items will be officially handed back to Greek officials.

The recovered artifacts include a remarkable marble funerary relief and a Roman-era ring featuring an engraving of Poseidon. These pieces were part of a broader investigation by the District Attorney’s office aimed at identifying and reclaiming trafficked and stolen Greek antiquities.

Among the returned items is a Mycenaean votive figurine dating back to 1300-1200 BC, which stands just 10 centimeters tall and depicts a woman in a prayerful pose. The most significant piece in terms of value is a marble funerary relief from the 4th-3rd century BC, with an estimated worth of $500,000.

Holly Marie Miller, an art historian from the University of Maryland, highlights the historical importance of the funerary relief, which was crafted in an Athenian workshop. Although once housed in a museum in Tennessee, the details surrounding its acquisition remain unclear.

Additional artifacts include a statuette of the Hellenistic heroine Atalanta, an aryballos from 600-500 BC showcasing a battle scene, and a 4th-century BC Dionysian kantharos.

As Greece intensifies efforts to recover its cultural heritage, including the famed Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum, this repatriation highlights the ongoing international collaboration to restore historical assets to their countries of origin.

Greek Minister of Culture Visits New York

Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni is set to visit the United States, with a schedule including a significant stop in Washington, D.C., for a separate repatriation ceremony at the Greek Embassy. She will then continue to New York to celebrate the return of the ancient Greek artifacts.

Matthew Bogdanos, New York Assistant District Attorney, will be honored with the Order of the Phoenix at the rank of Commander, recognizing his dedication to the recovery of cultural heritage. Minister Mendoni will also participate in a panel at The Met titled “Cultural Heritage Now: The Cyclades at The Met, a New Model of Collaboration,” which aims to foster dialogue on innovative approaches to preserving global cultural heritage.

Source: pagenews.gr