Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Weary Herakles – Turkey and Museum of Fine Arts Boston
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/weary-herakles-2013-turkey-and-museum-of-fine-arts-boston
The “Weary Herakles” is a Roman marble statue that was excavated in 1980 in Perge, Turkey. In 1981, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston acquired a half-interest in the upper part of the sculpture, while the other half-interest was owned by collectors Leon Levy and Shelby White.No publisherDeaccessionMuseum of Fine Arts BostonSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelAntalya MuseumIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNegotiation/négociationIllicit excavation/fouille illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéTurkey/Turquie2013/02/23 16:45:00 GMT+1DocumentVictorious 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+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+1DocumentThree 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+1DocumentSevso 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+1DocumentPre-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+1DocumentPortrait d’Isabelle d’Este – Cecchini c. Italie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/portrait-d2019isabelle-d2019este-2013-cecchini-c-italie
Dans le cadre d’une procédure pénale, le procureur du Tribunal de Pesaro (Italie) a adressé à la Suisse une demande d’entraide judiciaire portant sur un tableau attribué à Leonardo da Vinci qui aurait été transféré d’Italie en Suisse, par sa propriétaire, sans l’autorisation des autorités italiennes. Après avoir fait séquestrer le tableau, le Ministère public du Tessin ordonne la remise de ce dernier à l’Italie. La propriétaire de l’œuvre recourt contre cette décision jusqu’au Tribunal fédéral, qui casse la décision précédente.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleCecchiniIllicit importation/importation illiciteItaly/ItalieSwitzerland/SuissePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702020/02/24 16:30:00 GMT+1DocumentPièces d’or géantes – Inde c. Crédit Agricole Indosuez SA
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/pieces-d2019or-geantes-2013-inde-contre-credit-agricole-indosuez-sa
Deux pièces d’or géantes anciennes d’une valeur exceptionnelle, tant d’un point de vue économique que culturel, sont mises en gage auprès d’une Banque à Genève par le petit-fils de l’ancien Nizam de la Principauté d’Hyderabad. L’Inde introduit une action auprès des tribunaux genevois dans le but d’en obtenir la restitution. No publisherOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerDue diligenceJudicial decision/décision judiciairePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit exportation/exportation illiciteAntiquity/antiquitésProcedural issue/limites procéduralesStatute of limitation/prescriptionRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIndia/IndeCrédit agricole Indosuez SAChoice of law/droit applicable2013/03/20 15:10:00 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+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+1DocumentOne-Thousand-Five-Hundred-Pound, Hand-Carved Lintels Removed from Religious Temples in Thailand – United States of America and City & County of San Francisco
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/one-thousand-five-hundred-pound-hand-carved-lintels-removed-from-religious-temples-in-thailand-2013-united-states-of-america-and-city-county-of-san-francisco
In 2017, the government of Thailand formally requested that the United States restitute two ancient stone lintels of Khmer origin that had been removed from Thai temples between 1959–1968 and acquired by the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Thailand negotiated with the Museum for the restitution of the lintels, but in October 2020, the United States sued the Museum in federal court to seek their forfeiture. In February 2021, the Museum and the United States settled the case for a conditional restitution of the lintels to Thailand.No publisherDeaccessionAntiquity/antiquitésSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelKingdom of ThailandConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionDue diligenceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteJudicial claim/action en justiceDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationUnited States/États-UnisOwnership/propriétéCity & County of San Francisco2023/10/09 11:05:00 GMT+1DocumentNedjemankh 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+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+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+1DocumentMatisse 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+1Document