A Corinthian helmet and a marble statue of Aphrodite were among 30 artifacts repatriated by the United States to Greece during a ceremony on December 15.
The antiquities - which also include breastplates, a Byzantine silver plaque and a bronze chariot accessory - were recovered by Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with the Manhattan district attorney's office, Alvin Bragg.
Collectively, the pieces are valued at US$3.7 million. Bragg said in a statement that 19 of the pieces were voluntarily handed over by New York gallerist Michael Ward and three were seized from British art dealer Robin Symes.
A source familiar with the case said the remaining eight items are in the possession of investigators, who know the items were stolen but have not yet specified where, how or by whom they were stolen or recovered.
“A nation's cherished history should never be stolen, sold or traded, but for years these antiquities have been kept in collectors' homes, prestigious institutions and even storage closets,” said Erin Keegan, HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge in New York.
“Cultural heritage is an integral part of our identity as people and nations. It is therefore essential and crucial today to protect and preserve cultural heritage for future generations”, said the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, in a statement.
Ambassador Dinos Konstantinou, consul general of Greece in New York, called the artifacts “fabulous” and “incredibly preserved.” “Its monetary value amounts to millions of dollars, but its real value goes far beyond that,” said Konstantinou. “They are priceless to the Greek people.”
Source: Artnet News