Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Sevso Treasure – Lebanon et al. v. Marquess of Northampton
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/sevso-treasure-2013-lebanon-et-al-v-marquess-of-northampton
The Sevso Treasure was consigned at Sotheby’s by the Marquess of Northampton in 1989. Sotheby’s released a press statement which said that the treasure would not be sold until all claims against it had been dealt with. Hungary bought seven pieces of the treasure in 2014, and a further seven pieces in 2017.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeJudicial decision/décision judiciaireAntiquity/antiquitésOwnership/propriétéLebanon/LibanIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial claim/action en justiceRepurchase/rachatCroatia/CroatieSale/venteHungary/HongrieIllicit excavation/fouille illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Marquess of Northampton2018/12/13 12:30:00 GMT+1PageNedjemankh and His Gilded Coffin – Metropolitan Museum of Art and Egypt
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/nedjemankh-and-his-gilded-coffin-2013-metropolitan-museum-of-art-and-egypt
The gilded Coffin of Nedjemankh, a priest of the ram-god Heryshef, was purchased in 2017 and exhibited in 2018 by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Following an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the Met learned that the Coffin had been looted in 2011, during the Egyptian revolution. It also learned that it had received upon its purchase a false ownership history, fraudulent statements and fake documentation, including a forged 1971 Egyptian export license for the coffin. As such, the Met unconditionally returned the coffin to the Government of Egypt.No publisherDeaccessionCriminal offence/infraction pénaleEgypt/EgypteDue diligenceMetropolitan Museum of ArtPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteUnconstrained initiative/initiative spontanéeUnconditional restitution/restitution sans condition2019/06/24 14:25:00 GMT+1PagePre-Columbian Archaeological Objects – United States v. McClain
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/pre-columbian-archaeological-objects-2013-united-states-v-mcclain
This case affirmed the conviction of several dealers who conspired to sell archaeological objects removed from Mexico in violation of the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA). Under the NSPA, it is a crime to deal in property that has been “stolen, unlawfully converted or taken, knowing the same to be stolen”.No publisherCriminal offence/infraction pénaleMcClainMexico/MexiqueEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial decision/décision judiciaireUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionUnited States/États-UnisPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriété2014/07/17 17:20:00 GMT+1PageManuscrit du Marquis de Sade – Héritier Nordmann et héritier de Noailles et Gérard Lhéritier
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/manuscrit-du-marquis-de-sade-2013-heritier-nordmann-et-heritier-de-noailles-et-gerard-lheritier
Les « Cent Vingt Journées de Sodome » du Marquis de Sade avait été dérobé à la famille de Nouailles puis acquis par un collectionneur suisse – Gérard Nordmann – qui a toujours refusé de la rendre. C’est grâce à un accord entre l’héritier des Nouailles et l’héritier Nordmann que le manuscrit a pu retourner en France, où il a été classé trésor national en 2017.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireCriminal offence/infraction pénaleArtwork/oeuvre d’artDue diligenceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial claim/action en justiceFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Sale/venteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2014/08/27 16:40:00 GMT+1PageDancing Shiva Statue – India and National Gallery of Australia
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/dancing-shiva-statue-2013-india-and-national-gallery-of-australia
In 2006, New York art dealer Subhash Kapoor arranged the theft and illegal exportation of a 900-year old bronze statue of the Dancing Shiva from a small temple in Southern India. In 2008, the National Gallery of Australia bought the statue for AUD$5.6 million.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970DeaccessionNegotiation/négociationSubhash KapoorIndia/IndeAntiquity/antiquitésDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueNational Gallery of Australia2015/02/16 18:55:00 GMT+1PageMatisse Painting – Jeanneret v. Vichey
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/matisse-painting-2013-jeanneret-v-vichey
A painting by Henri Matisse was unlawfully exported from Italy to New York because its owner, Anna Vichey, never acquired the mandatory export license in 1970. The painting was then sold to a Swiss art dealer named Marie Jeanneret and delivered to Geneva, Switzerland. After discovering the cloud on the title of the painting, Mme. Jeanneret was unable to sell the painting. No publisherIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteAnna and Luben VicheyArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceBreach of contract/violation du contratMarie Louis JeanneretItaly/Italie2015/02/17 18:15:00 GMT+1Page15 Archaeological Objects – Italy and Princeton University Art Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/15-archaeological-objects-2013-italy-and-princeton-university-art-museum-1
The Italian Government and the Princeton University Art Museum signed an agreement on 30 October 2007 that resolved the question of ownership of 15 archaeological objects in the Museum’s collection. This accord was the culmination of negotiations that were initiated by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities following the discovery of substantial evidence demonstrating the illicit provenance of the requested antiquities.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleNegotiation/négociationDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueLoan/prêtDue diligencePrinceton University Art MuseumIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteItaly/ItalieProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702012/11/20 16:30:00 GMT+1PageVictorious Youth – Italy v. J. Paul Getty Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/victorious-youth-2013-italy-v-j-paul-getty-museum
The “Victorious Youth” – a life-size bronze statue created sometime between the 4th and 2nd century BC – is at the centre of an ongoing dispute between Italy and the J. Paul Getty Museum. This statue was discovered in 1964, caught up in the nets of a fishing boat working out of the port of Fano on the Adriatic coast of Italy.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOngoing dispute/litige en coursItaly/ItalieJ. Paul Getty MuseumEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerDue diligenceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justiceDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationChoice of law/droit applicableProcedural issue/limites procéduralesIllicit importation/importation illiciteOwnership/propriété2013/04/02 15:55:00 GMT+1PageAidonia Treasure – Greece and Ward Gallery
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/aidonia-treasure-2013-greece-and-ward-gallery
A collection of golden Mycenaean jewellery (the Aidonia Treasure) was acquired by the Ward Gallery of New York in early 1993. Before proceeding with the purchase the Gallery made enquiries in various Mediterranean States, including Greece, to find out whether the treasure was stolen. Greece responded in the negative, but it later sued the Gallery seeking restitution.No publisherOwnership/propriétéDonationWard GalleryJudicial claim/action en justiceDue diligenceNegotiation/négociationSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionGreece/Grèce2013/02/08 16:50:00 GMT+1PageAyuba Suleiman Diallo – Qatar Museums Authority and United Kingdom
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/ayuba-suleiman-diallo-qatar-museums-authority-and-the-united-kingdom
The Qatar Museum’s Authority (QMA) purchased at Christie’s the painting “Ayuba Suleiman Diallo” by Hoare of Bath that was subsequently hit with a temporary export bar in the United Kingdom. The export suspension gave any interested British museum the opportunity to buy the painting within a lapse of time. The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in London made a firm purchase offer that was refused by the QMA...No publisherNational Portrait GalleryCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleNegotiation/négociationArtwork/oeuvre d’artLoan/prêtSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteQatar Museums AuthorityUnited Kingdom/Royaume-Uni2013/02/11 10:25:00 GMT+1PageThree Nok and Sokoto Sculptures – Nigeria and France
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/three-nok-and-sokoto-sculptures-2013-nigeria-and-france
The French government bought three Nok and Sokoto sculptures from a private dealer in 1998. Soon after it obtained the consent of Nigeria on the acquisition, two of these sculptures were exhibited in the newly opened Pavillon des Sessions of the Louvre Museum. No publisherOwnership/propriétéNigeria/NigériaIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteFranceDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueMusée du quai BranlyNegotiation/négociationLouvre MuseumCultural cooperation/coopération culturellePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Archaeological object/objet archéologiqueLoan/prêtSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/02/14 12:10:00 GMT+1PageEgyptian Archaeological Objects – United States v. Frederick Schultz
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/egyptian-archaeological-objects-2013-us-v-schultz
On 16 July 2001, Frederick Schultz, a New York antiquities dealer, was indicted on one count of conspiring to receive stolen Egyptian antiquities in violation of the National Stolen Property Act (NSPA). Under the NSPA, it is a crime to deal in property that has been “stolen, unlawfully converted or taken, knowing the same to be stolen”.No publisherPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Frederick SchultzEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerCriminal offence/infraction pénaleUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteIllicit importation/importation illiciteUnited States/États-UnisJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueEgypt/Egypte2013/02/15 18:10:00 GMT+1PageIcklingham Bronzes – John Browning and Leon Levy and Shelby White
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/icklingham-bronzes-2013-john-browning-and-leon-levy-and-shelby-white
A group of antiquities known as the “Icklingham Bronzes” were illicitly excavated from the farm of John Browning sometime in the early 1980s. By 1989 they were on sale in New York. John Browning formally demanded the restitution of the Bronzes from Leon Levy and Shelby White, the good faith purchasers, but the request was rejected.No publisherLeon LevyOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Shelby WhiteJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueDonationDue diligenceJohn BrowningIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteAriadne GalleriesSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/02/18 18:50:00 GMT+1PageJiroft Collection – Iran v. Barakat Galleries
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/jiroft-collection-2013-iran-v-barakat-galleries
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran sued the London-based Barakat Galleries seeking the restitution of a collection of eighteen carved jars, bowls and cups which had been illicitly excavated in the Jiroft region, in Southeast Iran, and subsequently exported abroad. The Court of Appeal, overruling the trial court decision, held that the relevant laws of Iran were sufficiently clear to vest ownership title and an immediate right of possession of the relics in the Iranian State.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciaireIranUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueThe Barakat Galleries Ltd.Choice of law/droit applicableJudicial claim/action en justiceIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702013/02/19 12:10:00 GMT+1PageLydian Hoard – Turkey and Metropolitan Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/lydian-hoard-2013-turkey-and-metropolitan-museum-of-art-1
The Lydian Hoard is a sixth-century B.C. collection of gold and silver objects which was clandestinely excavated in Turkey in the 1960s. It was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) of New York. A formal demand for its return was made by Turkey in 1986.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteMetropolitan Museum of ArtCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationStatute of limitation/prescriptionTurkey/TurquieArchaeological object/objet archéologiquePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Due diligenceIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelUnconditional restitution/restitution sans condition2013/02/19 12:55:00 GMT+1Page