Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
89 Moche Archaeological Objects – Peru v. Johnson
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/89-moche-artifacts-2013-peru-v-johnson
After the discovery of the Moche site of Sipán (Peru) in the mid-eighties, many archaeological objects were looted and smuggled out of the country. In 1987, a smuggler who had been involved in the exportation of these objects to the United States contacted United States Customs agents and led to the eventual seizure of 89 Moche artifacts from Benjamin Johnson, a private collector. The government of Peru sued to retrieve the artifacts from Johnson. Peru’s claim was unsuccessful and the 89 archaeological objects remained in Johnson’s possession.No publisherOwnership/propriétéBenjamin JohnsonDonationJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIllicit importation/importation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciairePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteAntiquity/antiquitésIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPeru/Pérou2016/08/03 16:35:00 GMT+1DocumentAncient Coins – Ancient Coin Collectors Guild v. United States
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-ancient-coins-2013-ancient-coin-collectors-guild-v-united-states
In an attempt to challenge import regulations in force in the United States (US), the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG) imported into the US 23 ancient coins, which were seized by customs officials. The case was litigated from 2007 to 2019, with courts consistently deciding in favour of the US Government and the import restrictions remaining in place.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceUnited States/États-UnisArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueIllicit importation/importation illiciteAncient Coin Collectors GuildIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702019/10/14 09:40:00 GMT+1DocumentEtruscan Black-Figured Kalpis – Italy and Toledo Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/etruscan-black-figured-kalpis-2013-italy-and-toledo-museum-of-art
After an extensive investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations, the Toledo Museum of Art returned in 2013 an Etruscan black-figure kalpis to Italy. The kalpis was found to be smuggled out of Italy after an illegal excavation prior to 1981, then sold to the Toledo Museum of Art in 1982 by Gianfranco and Ursula Becchina, who had earlier purchased it from the art smuggler Giacomo Medici. No publisherU.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementUnited States/États-UnisItaly/ItalieNegotiation/négociationCriminal offence/infraction pénaleToledo Museum of ArtGianfranco and Ursula BecchinaUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteIllicit importation/importation illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Archaeological object/objet archéologique2017/10/10 11:40:00 GMT+1DocumentG’psgolox Totem Pole – Haisla and Sweden and the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/g2019psgolox-totem-pole-2013-haisla-and-sweden-and-museum-of-ethnography
In 1927, a totem pole belonging to the Haisla tribe in Canada was stolen and brought to the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography. In 1991, the tribe discovered the location of their totem pole, known as the G’psgolox totem pole, and requested that it be returned. After fifteen years of negotiations, the G’psgolox totem pole was formally returned to the tribe in 2006. No publisherIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCopy/copieNegotiation/négociationHaislaPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Criminal offence/infraction pénaleSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelStockholm Museum of EthnographyAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocSweden/Suède2017/10/10 14:45:00 GMT+1Document14 Archaeological Objects – Italy and Cleveland Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/14-antiquities-2013-italy-and-cleveland-museum-of-art
On 19 November 2008, the Italian Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities and the Cleveland Museum of Art signed an agreement concerning 14 archaeological objects in the museum’s collection. This agreement provides for the return to Italy of the artworks in exchange for loans of “a similar number of works of equal aesthetic and historical significance”.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleNegotiation/négociationDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueLoan/prêtDue diligenceIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteItaly/ItalieCleveland Museum of ArtProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702013/07/11 13:35:00 GMT+1DocumentHopi Masks – Hopi Tribe v. Néret-Minet and Estimations & Ventes aux Enchères
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/hopi-masks-2013-hopi-tribe-v-neret-minet-and-estimations-ventes-aux-encheres
Between 2013 and 2014, dozens of Hopi’s sacred objects were sold at auctions in Paris despite strong protests and legal actions launched by the Hopi tribe. These actions were unsuccessful because French judicial authorities denied legal standing to the Hopis and considered that the sales did not violate French law.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeNéret-Minet, Tessier and SarrouIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteHopi TribeSale/venteJudicial claim/action en justiceInalienability/inaliénabilitéEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerEstimations & Ventes aux EnchèresDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueDonationPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Ownership/propriétéRepurchase/rachatProcedural issue/limites procéduralesJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2015/08/07 11:35:00 GMT+1DocumentLebanese Archives – Lebanon and University of Geneva
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/lebanese-archives-2013-lebanon-and-university-of-geneva
In 2010, the University of Geneva sent to Lebanon the archives concerning the excavations conducted at Byblos, an archaeological site located in the northern part of Beirut, by the French archaeologist Maurice Dunand. The University had acquired the archives from Dunand in 1984.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelMaurice DunandLebanon/LibanConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionDue diligenceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchivesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéUniversity of GenevaNegotiation/négociation2015/08/10 09:10:00 GMT+1DocumentParrot Lady Sculpture – Canada and India
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/parrot-lady-sculpture-2013-canada-and-india
“Parrot Lady” is a 800 year old sandstone sculpture from a Khajuraho temple in India. It was returned by Canada to India in 2015 in accordance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention.No publisherCanadaIllicit exportation/exportation illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970India/IndeNegotiation/négociationEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionIllicit importation/importation illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelAntiquity/antiquités2015/10/07 10:35:00 GMT+1DocumentBélier Malien – France, Jacques Chirac et Mali
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/belier-malien-2013-france-jacques-chirac-et-mali
En novembre 1996, le Président de la République Française Jacques Chirac reçoit en cadeau un quadrupède en terre cuite aux formes massives et stylisées. L’objet, qui provenait d’un site pillé au Mali, sera restitué sous forme de don après négociations en janvier 1998.No publisherMaliOwnership/propriétéDonationNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Symbolic gesture/geste symboliqueIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteFranceAntiquity/antiquitésIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteJacques ChiracAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatique2015/12/14 14:35:00 GMT+1DocumentDurga Idol – India and Germany
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/durga-idol-2013-india-and-germany
In the 1990s, a 10th century idol representing the Indian Goddess Durga was reported as stolen from a temple in Tengpora, Pulwana in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The idol was found at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart in 2012. After presenting the evidence of its provenance, the idol was returned to India on “ethical grounds”.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociationSubhash KapoorCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionGermany/AllemagneArtwork/oeuvre d’artIndia/IndeDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illicite2016/10/05 11:55:00 GMT+1Document3000 Archeological Objects – China and Two British Dealers
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/3000-archeological-objects-2013-china-and-two-british-dealers
On 10 February 1998, the Chinese government and two British dealers signed an out-of-court agreement that resolved the question of ownership of over 3000 archaeological objects. Most probably these were transferred to the United Kingdom through illegal excavation and trafficking.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteNegotiation/négociationJudicial claim/action en justiceBritish Dealers/marchands d'art anglaisArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionChina/ChineIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702017/01/16 11:10:00 GMT+1DocumentMorgantina Goddess Statue – Italy and J. Paul Getty Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/morgantina-goddess-statue-2013-italy-and-j-paul-getty-museum
An ancient statue of a goddess, which was likely illegally excavated in the late 1970s in Italy, was purchased by the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1988 for a record-setting US$18 million. That same year, Italian authorities began an investigation at the conclusion of which the Getty Museum agreed to consider returning the statue to Italy.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionNegotiation/négociationStatute of limitation/prescriptionArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueCriminal offence/infraction pénaleIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteItaly/ItalieJ. Paul Getty MuseumSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702017/10/06 10:40:00 GMT+1DocumentMurals of Teotihuacán – Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and National Institute of Anthropology and History
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-murals-of-teotihuacan-2013-fine-arts-museums-of-san-francisco-and-national-institute-of-anthropology-and-history
In 1978, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco became the owner of a number of murals from the world-famous Aztec site of Teotihuacán (Mexico). The Mexican Government failed in its attempts to obtain the return of these wall paintings through a court action in the United States.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOwnership/propriétéCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleMexico/MexiqueCo-ownership/co-propriétéEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justicePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationFine Arts Museums of San FranciscoIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteUnited States/États-UnisNational Institute of Anthropology and HistorySettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/04/23 09:55:00 GMT+1DocumentOrpheus Mosaic – Turkey and Dallas Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/orpheus-mosaic-2013-turkey-and-dallas-museum-of-art
In December 2012, the Dallas Museum of Art returned to Turkey a fragment of a Roman mosaic. In addition, the parties concluded a comprehensive art exchange program.No publisherUnconstrained initiative/initiative spontanéeSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueDallas Museum of ArtNegotiation/négociationCultural cooperation/coopération culturellePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéTurkey/Turquie2013/05/11 17:30:00 GMT+1DocumentTroy Gold – Turkey and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/troy-gold-2013-turkey-and-the-university-of-pennsylvania-museum-of-archaeology-and-anthropology
In September 2012, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology decided to loan indefinitely to Turkey a collection of antique jewelry that the Museum had acquired in 1966. The collection was probably illicitly excavated in Troy, a city in Northwest Turkey. In return, Turkey agreed to provide the Museum important loans and further collaboration in the field of archaeology.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiquePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleUniversity of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and AnthropologyOwnership/propriétéTurkey/TurquieLoan/prêt2013/05/14 11:50:00 GMT+1Document