In a significant move to repatriate stolen cultural treasures, the United States has returned more than 1,400 looted artifacts worth an estimated $10 million to India. The announcement was made by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the effort to combat international art trafficking.
Artifacts with a Controversial Past
The repatriated items include artifacts that were stolen from India and, until recently, displayed in prominent locations such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. These efforts stem from “several ongoing investigations” into extensive looting networks. Key players in these illicit operations include convicted art traffickers Nancy Wiener and Subhash Kapoor, the latter being a U.S.-based antiquities dealer sentenced to 10 years in prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar looting scheme through his New York gallery.
Kapoor’s legal troubles extend to India, where he faces similar charges. After his 2011 arrest in Germany, Kapoor is currently awaiting extradition to the U.S.
Celebrating a Multi-Year Victory
“Today’s repatriation marks another victory in what has been a multiyear international investigation into antiquities trafficked by one of history’s most prolific offenders,” said William Walker, New York special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, during a press statement.
The artifacts were formally handed over during a ceremony at the Indian Consulate in New York on Wednesday, underscoring the ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
Highlighting the Recovered Treasures
One of the standout pieces among the repatriated artifacts is a sandstone sculpture of a celestial dancer. This artifact was smuggled out of central India to London, where it was illegally sold to a patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art before ending up on display in New York.
The Role of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit has been at the forefront of these efforts. Established over a decade ago, the unit comprises lawyers, investigators, and art experts who have collectively recovered 5,800 antiquities valued at nearly $460 million. The unit has also secured the convictions of 16 traffickers and filed extradition requests for six individuals involved in stolen cultural property.
Strengthened U.S.-India Cooperation
In July, the U.S. and India signed an agreement to protect cultural property, aiming to prevent illegal trading and streamline the process of returning stolen antiquities. This partnership represents a broader commitment to preserving and respecting cultural heritage, ensuring that stolen treasures are returned to their rightful homes.
A Step Forward in Cultural Justice
The return of these artifacts is a significant step in addressing the harm caused by art trafficking. By recovering these cultural treasures, both nations reaffirm their dedication to safeguarding historical and cultural heritage for future generations.
