Returns of antiquities worth nearly $1 million from the USA to Greece.
At a time when the return of cultural treasures to their countries of origin is gaining increasing importance, three significant cases of antiquities repatriation highlight Greece’s ongoing efforts to restore its cultural heritage.
The Glencairn Museum in Pennsylvania, USA, has returned an Attic black-figure lekythos to Greece, while the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is repatriating a bronze Griffin head. Additionally, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is facilitating the return of 11 ancient Greek artifacts, with a total value of $1 million.
Repatriation of an Attic Lekythos from the Glencairn Museum
A ceremony for the return of an Attic black-figure lekythos took place at the Embassy of Greece in Washington on February 22, 2025, in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni. The lekythos, an ancient Greek vase, depicts a battle scene between the goddess Athena and a Giant, with two hoplites observing the scene.
The 12 cm-tall vessel originated from Tomb 14 of the Kerameikos cemetery in Athens and was discovered in 1910. However, its whereabouts became unknown between 1936 and 1976 before reappearing in a Sotheby’s auction in 1973 and later arriving at the Glencairn Museum through an anonymous donation. Recognizing its ethical responsibility, the museum voluntarily decided to return the artifact without any formal request from Greek authorities.
The Minister of Culture praised the museum’s stance, emphasizing that the return of the lekythos serves as an example of responsible cultural heritage management.
12 Ancient Treasures Return from New York
On Monday, February 24, 2025, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni will attend a ceremony at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the repatriation of a bronze Griffin head to Greece.
The following day, on February 25, a repatriation ceremony will take place in Manhattan (New York) for 11 ancient Greek artifacts. These items, valued at approximately $1 million, were recovered by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which investigates the trafficking of stolen Greek antiquities. According to The National Herald, the artifacts include:
- A 4th–3rd century BC Athenian-style marble funerary relief, valued at $500,000
- A Mycenaean votive figurine (1300–1200 BC) depicting a woman in a prayer stance
- A Roman ring engraved with an image of Poseidon
- A statuette of the Hellenistic heroine Atalanta
- An aryballos (600–500 BC) featuring a battle scene
- A Dionysian kantharos from the 4th century BC
The return of these artifacts is the result of Greek authorities’ efforts and cooperation with U.S. judicial authorities as part of the global fight against the illegal antiquities trade.
These three cases highlight the importance of repatriating Greek antiquities and the international recognition of the need to protect cultural heritage. While many antiquities remain scattered across collections and museums worldwide, their return to Greece represents both a moral and historical vindication, contributing to the preservation and promotion of ancient Greek culture.