Bonhams returns looted Hermes head to Greece

At the presentation of an ancient marble head depicting the god Hermes, returned to Greece on Monday from Bonhams auction house as the product of illegal antiquities smuggling, Alternate Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis said it was proof of what Greece's archaeological service could accomplish.

The ancient marble head is a Roman copy of a major Classical-era Greek sculpture 
by Alkamenes, originally in the south wing of the Acropolis Propylaea 
[Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture]

"This is a reply to some of the exaggerated claims that we don't pursue stolen or auctioned [antiquities]," the minister said at a ceremony for the head's return held at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

He noted that the case was unprecedented in that the artifact had not been on any of the archaeological service's lists and the evidence showing it was illegally exported had to be put together from scratch but was sufficiently strong as to convince the auction house.

The ancient marble head, about 24 cm high, was a unique Roman-era work of art that was pulled out of a Bonhams auction just a few months ago. It was a Roman copy of a major Classical-era Greek sculpture by Alkamenes, originally in the south wing of the Acropolis Propylaea.

In October 2014, it was discovered that the head was among the works put up for auction by Bonhams and it was withdrawn after the culture ministry intervened.

The minister stressed that Greece's efforts for the protection of its heritage were constant and in recent years had given the country considerable prestige and influence within international organisations. He also noted that changes during the EU presidency of the European Council had strengthened the EU legal framework for the return of stolen antiquities.

Source: ANA-MPA [June 08, 2015]

TANN

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