Greece recovers hundreds of antiquities from art thief
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- 09 Jun 2023
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Grecce has announced the successful retrieval of numerous stolen artifacts, ranging from the Neolithic to Byzantine periods. Among the recovered treasures is a remarkable bronze statue of Alexander the Great, dating back to the second century. This achievement marks the end of a lengthy legal battle that spanned 17 years against a notorious British dealer of antiquities, Robin Symes.
The endeavor to repatriate the collection of 351 items commenced in 2006 when Greek authorities initiated investigations into Symes' company, both domestically and internationally. Greece's Culture Minister, Lina Medoni, stated in a late Friday declaration that the retrieval process has finally concluded.
The recent recovery follows the discovery made in 2016 by Italian and Swiss police, who uncovered a substantial cache of stolen archaeological artifacts linked to Symes. This notorious figure was deeply involved in the illicit trade of antiquities and had connections with Italian tomb raiders.
Although the Greek culture ministry did not explicitly state a connection between the latest retrieval and the Italian haul, the significance of the find cannot be understated. The repatriated collection encompasses a wide array of remarkable pieces, including a white stone statuette from the Neolithic era, originating from the 4th millennium BC.
Further noteworthy discoveries within the collection consist of an Early Cycladic figurine, dating between 3200 and 2700 BC, a damaged marble statue of an Archaic Kore from 550-500 BC, and an Archaic marble head, potentially belonging to either a Kore or a sphinx from the same period.
In light of these accomplishments, Greece emphasizes the importance of preserving and safeguarding cultural heritage, urging continued efforts to combat the illegal trade of antiquities. The return of these invaluable artifacts to their rightful home serves as a testament to the nation's commitment to protecting its rich history.
