March 20, 2012
Greece considered buying back Elgin Marbles soon after gaining independence
Letters reveal that between 1834 & 1842, Greece’s king Otto considered purchasing the Parthenon sculptures back from the British Museum, or exchanging them for other artefacts that were less culturally significant to Greece. I’m interested to know what the British response at that time was & the reasons given for not proceeding with the proposal.
From:
Agence France Presse
Greece mulled buying Acropolis marbles from Britain
(AFP) – 3 hours agoATHENS — Greece’s Bavarian-born King Otto considered offering Britain cash or antiquities in the 19th century in exchange for marbles removed from the Acropolis, previously unpublished historical files have shown.
“There is a document to the foreign ministry, subsequently forwarded to Otto’s minister in London, with instructions on how to request the marbles back,” Acropolis Museum director Demetrios Pantermalis told a conference on Monday.
“There was a discussion on what should be offered in exchange, and the throne asked how much the marbles would cost on the European art market, possibly with the notion of purchasing them,” Pantermalis said, according to the semi-state Athens News Agency.The talks involved the return of architectural elements from the Parthenon and Athena Nike temples dedicated to Athens’ protecting goddess, which had been removed some four decades earlier on the orders of British ambassador Lord Elgin.
“There was a royal proposal for Greece to offer some antiquities of secondary importance in return for the Athena Nike sculptures,” Pantermalis said.
The official documents, dating from between 1834 and 1842, were penned two years after Otto ascended the Greek throne under supervision of Britain, France and Russia, who had earlier helped liberate the country from the Ottoman Empire.
The marbles were shipped to London and were eventually put on display at the British Museum where they remain to this day.
The British Museum has turned down successive Greek calls for their return, arguing that the sculptures are part of a world heritage and are more accessible to visitors in London.
Inaugurated in June 2009, the new Acropolis Museum includes a section reserved for the disputed collection.
- Talks planned between Greece & British Museum to discuss Parthenon Marbles : August 30, 2012
- The temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis is now free from scaffolding : October 28, 2010
- Greece maintains that their demand is for permanent return of the Parthenon Marbles : January 10, 2011
- Will the New Acropolis Museum win back the Elgin Marbles? : March 5, 2008
- British Museum denies Parthenon Marble return plans : August 30, 2012
- A catalyst for the reunification of the Elgin Marbles : June 30, 2009
- New Acropolis Museum will aid the return of the Elgin Marbles : April 7, 2008
- Dallas Museum of Art returns disputed artefacts to Italy in exchange for loan of other items : November 4, 2013