MFA returns antiquities to Italy

After months of negotiations, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on Thursday formally turned over 13 archaeological treasures to Italy that cultural officials here say were looted from Italian soil.

At a signing ceremony at the Italian Cultural Ministry, Malcolm Rogers, the Boston museum’s director, pledged his institution’s cooperation in halting plunder in archaeological source countries. . .

Although there had been signs in recent weeks that an accord was imminent, the objects involved had not been disclosed. Among them are a majestic statue of Sabina, the wife of the second-century Emperor Hadrian; a marble fragment depicting Hermes from the first century A.D.; and 11 ancient painted vases.

Most of the items passed through some rather familiar hands, including those of Robert Hecht, Giacomo Medici, and Shelby White. This appears to be another case of the Italians offering a bit of a carrot -- as they did with the MMA -- as opposed to the stick they took to the Getty.

Thursday’s accord closely resembles a pact reached last February with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York providing for the handover of 21 artifacts. As with the Met, the Italian government will lend “significant works” for exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts and collaborate on other projects like archaeological digs.

By all indications, the Italians are still being quite careful not to show how much evidence they actually have. But as noted before, the cascading effect of seizures of business records up and down the illegal antiquities food chain, leading inexorably from one player to another, has demonstrably tipped the balance.

Mr. Rogers said the museum had acquired the works in “good faith.” But he said “the balance of evidence” presented by Italy “favored the return of the objects.” He declined to provide details on the evidence.

From the NY Times.

ADDENDUM: Not really news, but Cleveland is also on the Italians' list. The Cleveland Museum's director is quoted as stating that the Italians have not been in touch; from Boston's example, however, it would seem prudent for Cleveland to take the initiative here.

Posted by David on October 2, 2006 10:03 AM