Featured Problematic Artifacts

Sometimes we get postings here, usually from new members, asking about artifacts that seem to have somewhat sketchy origins. Often these are related to regions affected by recent foreign wars. After the last such post, I was trying to find out if there was any organization or agency that assists in repatriating objects to their country of origin that we could refer people to, in case the member had a conscience. I found a group within the U.S. State Department called the "Cultural Antiquities Task Force", and sent an inquiry. They actually replied (!). While they could not provide an easy solution, they did recommend some steps that might be taken. I thought others here might be interested in the conversation.

Here is my email to them, followed by their reply:

To: Cultural Property <CULPROP@state.gov>
Subject: Help with repatriating Middle Eastern artifacts in private hands

Hello,

I participate in an online forum where we discuss and help identify a variety of antiques and artifacts. We occasionally have visitors seeking information on archeological objects that may have been looted, such as items from the Middle East. I would like to be able to refer them to an agency that might help with repatriating looted objects to their likely country of origin. Does the Cultural Antiquities Task Force have such a service?

....................................................................................................................

Thank you for reaching out to the Cultural Heritage Center. The Cultural Antiquities Task Force does not conduct research on potentially looted items.

However, our office is often asked about returning potentially stolen objects to their country of origin. We typically recommend that folks reach out directly to the country of origin - the consulate closest to you or directly to the Embassy - to alert them of the item and see if they would like the item back. If you don't know what country the item has come from, one can conduct desktop research or contact a museum with collections that focus on the region where you believe the item may be from to further identify what it is. Academics who specialize in a certain region may also be able to help you.

Alternatively, you can download Interpol's Stolen Works of Art Database (Stolen Works of Art Database (interpol.int)) and try to use the visual search feature to see if your item is listed. Unfortunately, every item that has been acquired and sold illicitly is not catalogued, but you can try.

Best,

Cultural Heritage Center Staff
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs | U.S. Department of State


https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-antiquities-task-force

 

Excellent idea, 2many.

We have to be careful though, consulates or states don't always act in the best interest of the art or the legitimate owners.
We all know the current government in Afghanistan.
And there is the case of the Dutch Allard Piersonmuseum, that wouldn't give a historic Crimean gold hoard to Russia, because it was originally loaned to the museum by Ukraine.

 

Yes, repatriation is a complicated issue. The main article in the latest National Geographic discusses it, for those who may be interested. I had the honor of participating in the repatriation of a few Zuni Ahayu:da, of a type that are mentioned in the article. It was an experience that really affected me.

 

Amazing.

I can imagine.

 

the Ruskies looted the museum at Herson Ukraine ....all of it.......now the hoard is in Crimea...

What ya gonna do ????

 

Rashists looted every museum they put a hand on - not only at Herson, also at Mariupol, at Melitopol.... Don't get me started on them.....

 

Then there's the stuff that was looted 80+ years ago and sold twice since. Invading armies took the five-fingered discount to new levels.

 

But we hope (dream?) that standards of behavior would have evolved by now, given the modern reevaluation of the experiences of colonialism and WWII. I guess Russia learned nothing from the example of the Nazi theft of the amber room and other treasures from their territory - except to repeat such heinous acts.

 

They learned it was a good idea, apparently. Individual American GIs hauled "souvenirs" home, but it wasn't organized.

 

I remember thinking that that jewelry that guy kept asking about sure looked dug up to me as in grave robbery. I dont know why I felt that,but I just did. Anyone else get that vibe?

 

what about the guy with all those swords ...?

 

That is the one that prompted my inquiry.

 

The Nazis looted but the Red army did just the same. They have much more in common than the Westerner may be aware, including ideology. The only difference is that the Nazis were defeated while the Soviets were victorious. Which to a great extent is the reason of todays war in Ukraine, and other wars, too. The Germans had their cure against imperialism, but the Russians didn't.
Red Army stole everything (including artefacts) from defeated Germany, it was Stalin's official doctrine.
One example
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...oQFnoECEYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0LlKW-0tdcEVqOKEcm9UNr

Rashists now do what they have always been used to. No surprise.

 

Although the outcome was good, in the sense that it led to your inquiry and this thread, I doubt that guy's collection was the result of looting.
The swords were replicas, as far as I could see.
The jewellery was of the type that used to be sold by the basketloads in Afghan markets, which is probably why he had so much of it. Don't get me wrong, it was nice, but not museum or collectors' standard.

 

Russia doesn't want to learn anything, it works fine for them.

They even got "souvenirs" from the citizens of friendly nations.
And left some other "souvenirs" as well, of the human kind.

And some people still want war.

 

As far as I know, the Westerner is extremely aware of that.
We Dutch were always told exactly that, and I'm pretty sure other Westerners were too. I grew up with horror stories of both the Austrian guy and Stalin in the same breath, so to speak.

I think our free press and other freedoms meant that we as civilians had access to all sorts of information.
What we did with that information was up to everyone individually of course. There are always people who don't want to listen or learn.

 

Any, what I said meant that I don't know what you, Westerners, know Actually we, Easterners, did not know much as were a subject of mass brain washing. But I was told that Stalin was not much different from Hitler, I guess because it was already the Perestroyka time and many taboos were lifted.

Yes, because they have never been through the catharsis of a heavy defeat to tell them that they are not "the chosen ones". After the Cold War defeat they were supported by the Western world who believed that if they were economically integrated and their standard of living increased they would gradually become a normal democratic society. Which is utopian.
IMO Russians have to be heavily trashed (like Germans had been) in order to get all that imperial sh.t out of their brains. I don't know how it can be done and fear that if done, it will have high price but there is no other way, I am afraid.

 

Oh, right.

That has been a crazy idea of some Western leaders for quite a while. As if the entire world will embrace Western culture and will want to become democratic. They don't.
But we do have to support those that do. The democratic world is getting smaller, due to forces from the inside as well as the outside, so it is best if we stand together. (sounds like a song )

Russia is a huge country. How do you cover all that terrain?
I'm hoping for a 'palace revolt', and an implosion of the current system.
But anyway, that is politics.

 

I like "Austrian guy." I think that's how I'll refer to him from now on!

 

There are plenty of totalitarian regimes out there. Why some like leaders who are dictators, I'll never understand. We do have China out there mixing into the current war between Ukraine and Russia. I heard Putin on the TV during his speech to the nation, or whatever it was, say that Russia did not start the war with Ukraine. Excuse me?