September 19, 2007
Greek antiquities returned from US
Following the elections in mid September, Greece has a new Culture Minister – Michael Liapis. One of his first public appearances since taking over the job has been to announce the arrival back in Greece of two sculptures, voluntarily returned by their owners in the US. The number of similar cases has been growing in recent years. Each time that something such as this happens represents a further shift in accepted practise from retention to restitution.
From:
The Guardian
Greek Antiquities Returned From U.S.
Wednesday September 19, 2007 7:16 PMATHENS, Greece (AP) – An ancient stone coffin and sculpture of a lion’s head have been returned to Greece after being handed over by private owners in the United States, the Culture Ministry said Wednesday.
The artifacts were presented by new Culture Minister Michalis Liapis. Both had been voluntarily turned over to the Greek consulate in Boston and brought back to Greece in July.
The undated marble sarcophagus bears the relief sculpture of a battle scene, while the lion sculpture dates to Roman times.Greece has mounted an aggressive campaign for the return of ancient artifacts from museums and private collections abroad, part of an effort to recover Parthenon sculptures known as the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum in London.
- Hungary offers to return looted artefacts to Greece : September 16, 2008
- Ancient oil flask returns to Athens : April 21, 2008
- Hungary to return looted artefacts to Greece : September 11, 2008
- David Hill meets new Greek Culture Minister to discuss Parthenon Sculptures : October 4, 2007
- Parthenon fragment is returned : December 4, 2008
- Greek antiquities returned by Shelby White : September 4, 2008
- Liapis askes for return of artefacts : September 25, 2007
- Britain returns stolen Greek icon : November 25, 2008