In the forthcoming Antiquity Auction from Bonhams, in London, July 3, 2019, Lot 95 is of particular interest: an Apulian red-figure janiform kantharos. It is attributed to the Iliupersis Group, dated circa 375-350 BC. Bonhams notes that it derives from ‘an important American private collection’. The provenance section of the kantharos’ entry states: Anonymous sale;…
Published on May 16, 2019 in Foreignpolicyi.org by Peter Jackson According to a recent investigation by top French outlet Paris Match, Singapore and Geneva freeports are used by ISIS to store looted antiquities. Behind their metal doors, the treasures illegally moved out from Iraqi and Syrian museums are hidden in bespoke wooden crates and waiting…
Mid of May 2019, the Toledo Museum of Art announced an agreement with the Italian authorities for the repatriation of a skyphos (drinking vessel), which has been on view at the museum since the early 1980ies. The vessel dates to ca. 420 BCE. It is attributed to the Kleophon Painter, and has been purchased for…
As recently noted, the EAA published Benchmarks for Archaeology and Heritage Protection 2019 – 2024 for the upcoming elections of the European Parliament in May 2019. Special attention is paid to the prevention of illicit trade in antiques. During election campaigns, benchmarks are a highly effective instrument to make politicians and political parties aware of…
From BBC News, written by Steve Swann, investigating reporter, May 2, 2019 Steve Swann Investigations reporter Steve Swann Investigations reporter Facebook is being used by networks of traffickers to buy and sell looted antiquities, the BBC has learned. Private groups also discuss how to illegally excavate ancient tombs, according to research by academics. Facebook says…
Edek Osser, da Il Giornale dell’Arte numero 391, novembre 2018 Aarhus (Danimarca). Si chiama Christos Tsirogiannis, è un archeologo e storico dell’arte greco di 45 anni, laureato ad Atene e con un dottorato in Archeologia forense a Cambridge. Oggi insegna all’Università di Aarhus, in Danimarca. È un cacciatore di tesori archeologici illegali. La sua arma…
From the Observer, by Noah Charney, November 7, 2018 It is unfortunately a well-known fact that the art trade has occasionally been infiltrated by unscrupulous characters—art forgers, flippers and thieves are among the first to come to mind. In modern art history, the cases of outright art theft are rare and newsworthy. But in the…
From Montreal Gazette, November 4, 2018 Italy’s populist government is to introduce tough new penalties for art and antiquities crimes as it aims to crack down on cultural theft as part of its nationalist agenda. The announcement comes after several high-profile restitutions of antiquities taken to London and New York and recovered only after being…
From The Antiquities Coalition, November 5, 2018. The Illicit Art Trade From plundering during the Crusades to Napoleon’s loot of Egypt, antiquities have long been symbols of worldliness and status. In today’s world, antiquities have become go-to investments for art consumers and market speculators. However, individuals with certain statuses, including those blacklisted and on sanctions…
From DAILY SABAH, published October 19, 2018. The Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling Crime Branch teams carried out the biggest seizure of historical artifacts in the history of the republic, with raids across 12 Turkish provinces, recovering 14,000 historical pieces and bags full of foreign currency as well as Turkish lira. The operation was carried out…
EAA-Committee on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Material 