Lydian Hoard: More Returns to Türkiye

Source: New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has returned two more pieces of silver from the Lydian Hoard. They consist of a silver phiale (inv. 1980.11.13; Bothmer, Treasury no. 25) and a silver oinochoe (inv. 1980.11.16; Bothmer, Treasury no. 40). Both were purchased from the Classical Purchase Fund / The Bothmer Purchase Fund.

The history ("provenance") of the pieces is as follows:

Reputedly, collection of the family of Elizabeth Ebnöther, Zurich, Switzerland; [by 1980, with Galerie Nefer, Zurich]; acquired in 1980, purchased from Galerie Nefer. Deaccessioned for return to the Republic of Türkiye in June 2025. 

The press release from the Manhattan DA notes the association with Frieda Tchacos.

The use of "reputedly" to link objects to specific collectors is similar to the "reportedly" used for pieces in the Stern Cycladicising collection (discussed in BMCR).

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The Stern Collection of Cycladicising Figures

My review article on the Stern collection of Cycladicising figures currently on display at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has been published: "Artwashing the Cyclades: The Leonard N. Stern Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art," BMCR (July 2025).

"The Stern collection of Cycladica holds lessons for the way that we approach ancient material culture. Viewers of this display will have their perceptions of the Early Bronze Age Cyclades shaped by the objects presented to them. Viewers—and that includes visitors to the exhibition—trust that the curators who create displays of ancient material culture are presenting authentic ancient material."

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The Met returns three antiquities to Iraq

Source: Manhattan DA

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has returned three antiquities to Iraq (Manhattan DA Press Release). The three pieces are:

a. a Sumerian gypsum alabaster vessel supported by two rams, acquired from the Norbert Schimmel Trust in 1989. The history of the piece is provided:

By 1956, with N. Koutoulakis who bought it in Baghdad; from 1966, collection of Cecile de Rothschild; [by 1979, Robin Symes, London]; 1984, purchased by Norbert Schimmel from Robin Symes/ Xoilan Trader Inc., Geneva; from 1984, on loan to the Museum by Norbert Schimmel (L.1984.15.1); acquired by the Museum in 1989, gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust. 

b. a Mesopotamian terracotta female head, acquired from the Norbert Schimmel Trust in 1989. The  history of the piece is provided:

Before 1972, collection of Elie Borowski; by 1972, collection of Norbert Schimmel, New York; from 1983, on loan to the Museum by Norbert Schimmel (L.1983.119.12); acquired by the Museum in 1989, gift of Norbert Schimmel Trust. Deaccessioned for return to Iraq in May 2025.

c. a Mesopotamian terracotta male head, purchased from Robin Symes in 1972. It is reported to have been removed from the site of Isin. The history of the piece is provided:

By 1971, Robin Symes, London; acquired by the Museum in 1972, purchased from Robin Symes, London.

These returns renew the focus on antiquities handled by Robin Symes. The Met's "provenance" team could usefully look at the other Symes material currently on display in the museum. 

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Worcester Art Museum Returns Hecht-linked Pots to Italy

Photo: Worcester Art Museum

The Worcester Art Museum has returned two Attic pots to Italy; they are now back on loan to the museum ("Worcester Art Museum Secures Landmark Cultural Cooperation Agreement with Italian Ministry of Culture Following Voluntary Return of Antiquities", January 30, 2025). What is striking about the two pieces is that they were both acquired in the mid-1950s, well before the 1970 UNESCO Convention.

The two pieces are:

a. An Attic black-figured amphora attributed to the Rycroft painter, showing Hermes, Leto, Apollo and Artemis; Dionysos and Maenads. Inv. 1956.83 (BAPD 301829). [Website]

b. An Attic black-figured cup decorated with a gigantomachy. Inv. 1956.91 [Website]

Both the amphora and the cup were acquired from Elie Borowski, though both could be traced back to Robert Hecht.

This will raise concerns for museums that had acquired pieces from both Borowski and Hecht well before the 1970 benchmark date. 

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