Met Returns Looted Ancient Cup to Italy in 2022
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art returned two ancient Greek cups to Italy after investigations revealed they were looted.
- The cups were reconstructed from fragments collected over a 15-year period, linked to individuals associated with looted antiquities.
- This case underscores the importance of provenance in art conservation and the ethical responsibilities of museums.
In 2022, the Metropolitan Museum of Art returned an ancient cup to Italy after it was determined to have been looted. This cup, a classical Greek kylix, was reconstructed from fragments that had been collected over 15 years, starting in 1978. Investigators from the Manhattan district attorney's office found that the fragments were linked to individuals associated with the illicit antiquities trade. Following this investigation, the museum acknowledged that a second kylix had also been looted and returned it to Italy without public announcement. The museum's spokeswoman stated that new information provided by investigators clarified the need for the return of the second cup. This situation highlights ongoing issues surrounding the provenance of ancient artifacts and the responsibilities of museums in ensuring that their collections are ethically sourced.