Metropolitan Museum Returns 15 Greek Antiquities Valued at Nearly $3 Million

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has announced the return of fifteen Greek antiquities, collectively valued at nearly $3 million, to Greece after their seizure from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These artifacts were retrieved through various investigations into antiquities trafficking and were returned following provenance research conducted by the Met alongside information gathered by prosecutors. Among the items are five intricately designed bronze armor pieces from the late 7th century BCE, including two helmets and three protective plates adorned with winged figures, serpents, horses, and sphinxes. Greek authorities linked this armor to an illegal excavation in Afrati, Crete, in 1964. Additionally, a terracotta jug from approximately 1750–1700 BCE and a first-century CE Roman marble head, likely representing Genius, were also returned. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized the significance of this repatriation for Greek heritage and highlighted the effectiveness of collaboration in combating illicit cultural property trafficking. The Manhattan DA's Antiquities Trafficking Unit has successfully recovered thousands of cultural items for repatriation globally in recent years.