• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. US & Canada
  4. US repatriates two looted 7th-century antiquities to China
US & Canada

US repatriates two looted 7th-century antiquities to China

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 May 23:28

The antiquities figured among 89 other looted objects from 10 different countries that were purchased by a private art collector in New York named Shelby White. 

  • .
    An image of one of the looted antiquities, Zoroastrian Funerary Platform, is seen in this image released by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office

In the latest wave of repatriations of stolen artifacts, the US has decided to return two looted antiquities to China, Manhattan's District Attorney announced on Tuesday.

As per a statement issued by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the antiquities in question are two 7th-century stone carvings that are currently valued at $3.5 million. They were sawn off a tomb by looters in the early 1990s and smuggled out of China.

The antiquities figured among 89 other looted objects from 10 different countries that were purchased by a private art collector in New York named Shelby White. 

Following a criminal investigation launched by the city's Antiquities Trafficking Unit, the DA determined that the carvings were looted and seized after years of being displayed as "loaned" items at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Read more: Manhattan repatriates 11th century looted artifact to Cambodia

"It is a shame that these two incredible antiquities were stolen and at least one remained largely hidden from the public view for nearly three decades," Bragg said.

"While their total value is more than $3 million, the incredible detail and beauty of these pieces can never be truly captured by a price tag."

The two items were estimated to cost approximately $69 million. One of the items was reportedly kept in the museum's storage and was never put on display.

They were handed over to the Chinese consulate in New York during a repatriation ceremony. 

"We regard the crackdown on crimes against cultural property a sacred mission," Chinese Consul General Huang Ping was quoted as saying in the statement by the DA's office.

In April, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York announced that 15 sculptures, trafficked by Subhash Kapoor who owned the former Manhattan-based gallery Art of the Past, will be returned to the Indian government - per orders from DA Alvin Bragg. 

In that same month, the city returned 12 looted antiquities to Turkey, some of the looted objects were displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) has repatriated more than 950 antiquities stolen from 17 countries and valued at approximately $180 million.

Read more: Cambodia retrieves UK-looted Angkor jewelry, urges more repatriations

  • antiquities
  • US
  • China
  • stolen artifacts

Trending Now

All
After Riyadh's 'affirmative' trip, Blinken to visit China next week

After Riyadh's 'affirmative' trip, Blinken to visit China next week

Most Read

Haaretz

Mossad agent killed in Italy part of anti-Iran mission: Israeli media

  • Europe
  • 3 Jun
Screengrab from drone video footage showing Ukrainian Leopard tanks getting hit by Russian artillery in the Zaparozhye direction (Social media / Telegram: ZA_FROHT)

Germany's Leopards, IRIS-Ts not holding up well in Ukraine

  • Europe
  • 8 Jun
James G. Rickards. (WIkipedia)

Ex-CIA advisor predicts date when US dollar hegemony will collapse

  • Europe
  • 7 Jun
NATO may deploy troops in Ukraine to guarantee security: Former chief

NATO states may deploy in Ukraine to guarantee security: Former chief

  • Europe
  • 8 Jun

Read this

All
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attends a mid-day prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 24, 2023 (AP)
MENA

Iran BRICS membership to soon be materialized, Raisi says

  • 9 Jun
File photo shows Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF) activist George Ibrahim Abdallah escorted by a French Gendarme as he arrives at Lyon courthouse, July 10, 1986 (samidoun network)
Europe

Georges Abdallah submits 9th parole request to French authorities

  • 9 Jun
Late Egyptian President greeted by cheering crowds after announcing his nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, Cairo, July 26, 1956 (Wikimedia)
MENA

UK's role in sabotaging Nasser's plans for developing Suez Canal: BBC

  • 9 Jun
Screen grab from a Russian forces drone footage featuring destroying NATO-supplied German madeLeopard 2A6 and US made 4 M2A2 Bradley IFV (Telegram: VOIN_DV)
Europe

M2A2 Bradleys IFVs, Leopard 2 tanks destroyed in Zaporozhye front

  • 9 Jun
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS