In an effort to combat its reputation as a global hub for illicit art trade, New York authorities have returned more than 40 stolen antiquities worth nearly $3.5 million to Italy. The restitution ceremony, attended by Italian officials, marked the return of 42 exceptional artifacts, some dating back 2,500 years.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the return of these artifacts is part of ongoing efforts to counteract decades of organized antiquities smuggling networks that have impacted Italy. Since assuming office in 2022, Bragg has overseen the repatriation of over 200 antiquities to Italy.
Vincenzo Molinese, commander of Italy’s Carabinieri Art Squad, praised the successful collaboration between the United States and Italy that led to the recovery of these valuable pieces.
Among the items returned is a vase from the Apulia region in southern Italy, dating back to 335 BC. This vase, used for mixing water and wine, was stolen from a burial site and smuggled abroad by Giacomo Medici, a notorious trafficker of Italian antiquities. The vase was located and seized from a private collection in New York last month, following its transit through London.
New York prosecutors have been active in repatriating looted artifacts from various countries since 2017, spanning pieces originating from ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine empires, Iraq, China, India, and Southeast Asia. This ongoing effort reflects a commitment to addressing the global trade in stolen cultural heritage.
