More on the Symes material returned from Switzerland

© Ministère public genevois

There is growing interest in the 45 cases of antiquities returned to Italy from Switzerland. The Swiss authorities have issued a press statement (January 14, 2016). The statement does not identify Symes but merely states:

The antiques had been brought to Geneva by a former high-profile British art dealer, whose name has been linked in the past to the trading of several looted antiquities throughout the world.

It also tells us that the material was stored under the name of an offshore company. It also appears that the warehouse owner had not been paid for 15 years.

What other storage facilities are likely to emerge? What about the material seized in London? There can be no reason for the UK Government to fail to co-operate with one of our European partners on this important cultural property issue.