The Met Gets $11M’s Worth Of Looted Antiquities Seized By New York Officials

Authorities from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office recently seized US$11 million worth of artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art that are suspected to have been looted from Greece, Italy, and Egypt. 

In a push to return these stolen antiquities to their rightful countries, the officials confiscated 27 different works, including a marble head of the Greek goddess Athena, believed to have been sculpted in 200 BCE, and statues of Castor and Pollux made during the Roman Empire. 

According to documents seen by the International Center of Investigate Journalists, this incident is the largest-ever seizure of art pieces at the Met. And just last week, an additional warrant was granted for the confiscation of a 6th-century sculpture of a Hindu deity. 

A spokesperson from the District Attorney’s office told CBS News there are two upcoming repatriation ceremonies planned with Italy and Egypt, during which 58 objects, including 21 from the Met’s loot, will be returned to the countries of origin. 

It certainly seems museums are ramping up efforts to return stolen artifacts to their rightful owners, with the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Scotland recently pledging to return works to India, and the Getty Museum repatriating prized statues to Italy’s Museum of Rescued Art. 

[via ARTnews and CBS News, cover image via Cpenler | Dreamstime.com]