Abirpothi

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repatriation

Stolen Chola-Era Bronze Idol of Dancing Krishna Traced to the United States

Introduction In a significant breakthrough, the Idol Wing CID (IWCID) of the Tamil Nadu Police has intensified efforts to repatriate a rare 12th Century bronze idol of Lord Krishna in a dancing posture, which was stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu and later discovered in the United States. This remarkable journey to recover a …

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Re-evaluating the British Museum’s Role: A Dialogue on Colonial Artefacts and Ethical Obligations

Introduction The British Museum’s loss of 1,500 items, allegations of theft involving insiders, and the questions raised about its extensive collection’s origins have ignited a renewed discussion on the moral and ethical aspects of retaining artefacts acquired during the era of imperialism. In light of these developments, Professor Kavita Singh’s perspective becomes a critical lens …

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Controversy Over Theft of Artifacts Forces British Museum Director’s Immediate Resignation

In a surprising turn of events, Hartwig Fischer, the director of the renowned British Museum, has announced his immediate resignation, cutting short his expected tenure. Fischer’s decision comes as a response to the escalating controversy surrounding the theft of objects from the museum’s esteemed collection, purportedly by a senior curator employed at the institution. Allegations …

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Ancient Christian Mosaic Controversy: Potential Loan to American Museum Sparks Concerns

Introduction An ancient Christian mosaic of significant archaeological importance is currently at the center of controversy, as discussions unfold about the possibility of loaning it to a controversial American museum. The Megiddo Mosaic, a 3rd-century floor depicting an early reference to Jesus as God, holds both historical and religious significance. This mosaic, believed to be …

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Antiquities Dispute: After Italy Now Southeast Asian Countries Seek Return of Stolen Artifacts from The States

Officials from Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam have embarked on a mission to reclaim cultural heritage items that they allege were stolen from heritage sites and ancient temples in Southeast Asia. The focus of their efforts is the Denver Art Museum (DAM), which has come under scrutiny for housing artifacts with contested origins. This controversy sheds …

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Italy Reclaims 266 Looted Antiquities Worth Millions in Recent Repatriation Effort from US

In a significant repatriation effort, Italy has successfully reclaimed 266 antiquities that were looted and subsequently sold to private collectors and museums in the United States. Valued at “3.5 millions of euros,” these artifacts mark a crucial step towards restoring Italy’s cultural heritage. The repatriation includes a diverse range of items, with some being seized …

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India Receives 105 Antiques Smuggled to the US in Follow-Up to PM’s Visit

New York, July 18 (IANS) – In a significant development following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, India has successfully received a batch of 105 stolen antiques that were recovered by US officials. The repatriation ceremony took place at India’s Consulate General in New York, where India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, …

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15 Antiquities from New York’s Met Among 150 Returning to India in 3-6 Months

In a significant development, the Union Culture Secretary, Govind Mohan, announced that fifteen antiquities returned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York are expected to arrive in India within the next 3-6 months. This marks the first batch of antiquities that the Met has willingly agreed to return to India, showcasing a positive …

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Documenta Head Resigns amid Scandal; and Two More Art Stories from Around the World

A SUMMARY OF THE MOST EXCITING ART NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE While we focus on Indian art, we can’t obviously function in a vacuum. It’s a small world and everything is connected, especially on the web. So, let’s train our spotlight across the world map to see what’s going on — from art trends …

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Will it ever come home? Exploring India\’s missing art since colonial times – I

In a short, multi-part series, we explore some of the masterpieces of art that were spirited away by colonial powers from what stands as modern India — all of which have not been returned till date. In part I, we broadly explore the history of such stolen art, where it stands, crusaders seeking it out, …

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