Antiquities
Jailing of British visitor to Iraq could jeopardise tourism and soft diplomacy
After years of conflict and sanctions, heritage trips have been taking off in the area. But potential visitors may be wary after geologist Jim Fitton was given a 15-year sentence for taking “a few worthless pieces of broken pottery”
Louvre launches civil action as part of art trafficking case involving former director Jean-Luc Martinez
A number of objects purchased by the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are now under scrutiny—including an ancient Egyptian marble head worth €35m
Former Louvre director Jean-Luc Martinez charged in connection with antiquities trafficking investigation
Martinez has been indicted for “complicity of gang fraud and laundering“ of objects purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Louvre Abu Dhabi
Qatari sheikh loses appeal over fake antiquities claim against Phoenix Ancient Art
Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah al-Thani had accused the New York- and Geneva-based dealership of selling him two allegedly fake statues for a combined $5.2m
Italian court calls for restitution of ancient marble statue from Minneapolis Institute of Art
The two-metre-tall statue, which the museum acquired for $2.5m in 1986, was allegedly excavated illegally in the 1970s
Dealer suspected of selling looted antiquities to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Louvre Abu Dhabi detained in Paris
The Hamburg-based dealer Roben Dib was arrested in Paris last week. His lawyers say he will "fully cooperate with the investigation"
Two lots withdrawn from Christie’s antiquities sale after possible ties emerge to dealers known to traffic in illicit artefacts
The artefacts were flagged by Christos Tsiogiannis, who has, since 2006, been identifying looted antiquities through photographic archives of suspected and convicted dealers in plunder
Archaeologist calls for repatriation of Roman fresco in Getty collection that came from known antiquities traffickers
Research published by forensic archaeologist Christos Tsirogiannis suggests the brilliant fresco fragment may have been illegally excavated near Pompeii
Antiquities dealers appeal restrictive New York ban on ivory
The appeal primarily challenges restrictions around the display of commercial ivory objects in the state
US bans import of art and antiquities from Afghanistan
Experts in the trade question whether items seized by US customs under the new four-year policy will be returned to the Taliban
US restitution of 200 Italian artefacts a 'watershed' moment, Carabinieri chief says, as looted art trove arrives in Rome
Repatriation could lead to resolution in other cases of looted art in museums
Sotheby's to offer The Hamilton Aphrodite, an ancient Roman marble last sold 70 years ago now expected to fetch up to £3m
The larger than life-size statue was brought back from Rome by the Duke of Hamilton in the 18th century and is named after his Scottish palace
Qatari sheikh's treasures go on show at 'mini-Versailles' in Paris for the next 20 years
Collection of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani finds a long-term home at the Hôtel de la Marine, the former repository of French royal furniture, art and jewels
Antiquities think tank pushes UK to impose tougher regulations to fight trade in looted art
Antiquities Coalition has published a policy brief urging government to seize the "window of opportunity" in wake of repealed EU Cultural Goods Regulations
How British Museum's maintenance woes have kept Parthenon Marbles off view for a full year
The poor condition of the London museum’s Greek and Assyrian galleries—with roofs in disrepair causing long closures—is adding to calls for the restitution of the contested works
Major art trade groups join forces to stop looted Afghan artefacts reaching Western market
International trade groups including top British antique dealers vow to oppose trade of Afghan heritage artefacts under Taliban control
It all started with a Roman bowl bought for 75p: antiquities dealership Charles Ede celebrates 50 years in business
The London gallery, now run by Martin Clist and Charis Tyndall, is marking five decades with an exhibition of Greek black glaze pottery opening this week
How do you spot a looted antique? Germany brings in team of experts to help
Government has established €600,000 three-year pilot project called NEXUD to combat illegal trade in antiquities
Safani Gallery's lawsuit against Italy over disputed antiquity dismissed in court
The New York-based gallery sued after US authorities seized a bust of Alexander the Great in 2018. The sculpture's ownership and future remains unresolved
New York investigators hand over 27 smuggled art objects valued at $3.8m to Cambodia
Charges are pending against two New York-based antiquities dealers linked to the objects
US hands over two stolen ancient lintels to Thailand after retrieving them from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Dating from the ninth and tenth centuries, the objects are thought to have been looted from sacred sites in the late 1960s
US returns over 500 smuggled pre-Hispanic-era artefacts to Mexican officials
Tools and other objects were discovered in a national park in southwest Texas, triggering an inquiry
Mosul Cultural Museum rises from the ravages of Isis
Painstaking reconstruction by multi-agency task force is salvaging what artefacts remain after Islamic State occupation
Looted in the 1980s, a sacred stele at the Dallas Museum of Art is headed back to Nepal
After FBI investigation, sculptural antiquity lent by a collector is determined to have a disturbing provenance
Hobby Lobby claims Israeli collector Joseph David Hackmey consigned allegedly looted Gilgamesh tablet to Christie's
The arts and crafts chain has amended its complaint regarding the ancient tablet, which it bought for at auction for $1.67m in 2014. It was seized by US authorities in 2019
Accord between US and Turkey to counter illicit trade in artefacts divides historians and preservationists
Critics say Turkish government polices give short shrift to religious minorities’ cultural heritage
From mummies to mosques—new Google Arts & Culture initiative brings Egypt’s archaeological treasures to the masses
New online platform aims to turn traditionally scholarly subject into something "easily digestible and fun to explore"
The devil is in the paperwork—don't be caught out by provenance fraud
The rise of the online art market means due diligence on purchasing art is becoming increasingly complex
Two Manhattan antiquities dealers arrested on charges of fraud
Authorities have accused Erdal Dere and Faisal Khan of running an alleged scheme to swindle buyers by using fake provenances
Forrest Fenn, known for burying $2m worth of treasure in the Rocky Mountains, dies at 90
The controversial yet colourful Santa Fe-based art and antiquities dealer announced that his treasure had been found shortly before his death