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+1PagePortrait of Greta Moll – Moll Heirs v. National Gallery of London
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/portrait-of-greta-moll-2013-moll-heirs-v-national-gallery-of-london
The “Portrait of Greta Moll” has been subject to a claim for return. The heirs of the painting’s subject argued the painting was stolen in the aftermath of the Second World War and claimed that the National Gallery of London did not purchase the work in good faith. The case has been heard in two courts of the United States.No publisherPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970National Gallery, LondonDeaccessionProcedural issue/limites procéduralesMargrete MollRequest denied/rejet de la demandeCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDue diligenceStatute of limitation/prescriptionOwnership/propriétéUnited Kingdom/Royaume-UniState immunity/immunité des EtatsJudicial claim/action en justiceJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionArtwork/oeuvre d’artConciliationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesJudicial decision/décision judiciaireThe American Friends of the National GalleryOskar Moll2019/08/12 14:20:00 GMT+1PageDie Grosse Seestrasse in Wannsee – X. v. Switzerland
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/die-grosse-seestrasse-in-wannsee-2013-x-v-switzerland
The painting “Die Grosse Seestrasse in Wannsee” was bought in 1948 by François de Diesbach. After de Diesbach’s death, the painting was forgotten within the Swiss embassy. When the Swiss embassy decided to donate the painting to the Liebermann Villa, a distant relative of de Diesbach seized a Swiss court and claimed ownership over the painting. The High Court of the Canton of Bern ultimately held that the Swiss Confederation had acquired ownership over the painting.No publisherOwnership/propriétéLoan/prêtJudicial decision/décision judiciaireArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationSwitzerland/SuisseLiebermann VillaNazi looted art/spoliations naziesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970DonationChoice of law/droit applicableState immunity/immunité des EtatsProcedural issue/limites procéduralesConditional restitution/restitution sous condition2019/10/01 15:30:00 GMT+1PageAncient 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+1PageEtruscan 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+1PageSarcophage romain – I. SA c. Ordonnance de restitution et Turquie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/sarcophage-romain-2013-i-sa-c-ordonnance-de-restitution-et-turquie
Fin 2010, lors d’un contrôle d’inventaire aux Ports francs de Genève, l’Administration fédérale des douanes découvre un exceptionnel sarcophage romain représentant les douze travaux d’Hercule. Suspicieuse, l’Administration séquestre le bien. La Turquie se constitue comme partie plaignante dans la procédure pénale ouverte à Genève, se déclarant légitime propriétaire du sarcophage. En 2015, le Ministère public genevois ordonne la restitution de l’objet à la Turquie. Le détenteur du sarcophage recourt en vain devant la Cour de Justice puis au Tribunal fédéral, avant de se rétracter. L’objet doit donc être restitué à la Turquie, mais personne n’a été condamnéNo publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireCriminal offence/infraction pénaleSwitzerland/SuisseMinistère public genevoisArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionIllicit excavation/fouille illicitePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéTurkey/Turquie2017/12/22 16:35:00 GMT+1PageWasco Sally Bag – American dealer and Paul Cary and the Yakama Nation Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/wasco-sally-bag-2013-american-dealer-and-paul-cary-and-the-yakama-nation-museum
In 2007, Paul Cary acquired a Wasco Sally bag, an object from the Native American group, the Yakama Nation, from an American dealer. When Paul Cary learned that the bag was stolen from the Yakama Nation Museum, he returned it to the dealer and informed the museum. Subsequent negotiations initiated between the museum and the dealer would have remained unfruitful, if it was not for the involvement of Paul Cary. He offered the dealer financial compensation for half of his losses should he return the bag to the museum. Moreover, he would attempt to obtain the financing of the second half from the Yakama tribe. The parties agreed.No publisherIndigenous object/objet autochtoneAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocPrivate person/personne privéeYakama Nation MuseumConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionPaul CaryFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriétéSettlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/01/31 13:50:00 GMT+1PageQuatre momies – Chili et Personne privée
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/quatre-momies-2013-chili-et-personne-privee
Le 20 janvier 2011, un particulier restitue quatre momies vieilles de 4000 à 6000 ans au Chili. Des représentants du Chili, des responsables du Musée d’Ethnographie de la Ville de Genève et le Service spécialisé de l’Office fédéral de la culture ont joué un rôle déterminant dans cette affaire.No publisherOwnership/propriétéPrivate person/personne privéeMusée d’ethnographie de la Ville de GenèveHuman remains/restes humainsNegotiation/négociationPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Unconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocChile/Chili2013/04/12 14:30:00 GMT+1Page14 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+1PageKa Nefer Nefer Mask – United States v. Mask of Ka Nefer Nefer
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/ka-nefer-nefer-mask-2013-united-states-v-mask-of-ka-nefer-nefer
On July 28, 2014, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request of the United States Government to take further legal action regarding the St. Louis Art Museum’s ownership of the 3200 year old Egyptian Ka Nefer Nefer funerary mask. No publisherOwnership/propriétéSt. Louis Art MuseumJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleNegotiation/négociationRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueIllicit importation/importation illiciteUnited States/États-UnisEgypt/EgypteProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702015/07/17 11:45:00 GMT+1PageLebanese 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+1PageParrot 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+1PageTwo Souza paintings – Kurtha v. Marks
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/two-souza-paintings-2013-kurtha-v-marks
In 1982, Dr Aziz Kurtha purchased two paintings from the Indian artist Francis Souza. They were stolen years later and their ownership changed a number of times, before Michael Marks purchased them on 10 January 2006. No publisherJudicial claim/action en justiceCriminal offence/infraction pénaleAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocArtwork/oeuvre d’artMichael MarksFrancis Newton SouzaAziz KurthaUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Judicial decision/décision judiciaireOwnership/propriété2015/10/08 02:15:00 GMT+1PageMercedes Shipwreck – Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. v. Unidentified Shipwrecked Vessel
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/mercedes-shipwreck-2013-odyssey-marine-exploration-inc-v-unidentified-shipwrecked-vessel
In 2007, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. found a shipwreck of the Spanish Royal Navy Frigate Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, loaded with many tonnes of coins. Odyssey filed an in rem action in the United States federal court to get legal title to the shipwreck and the coins, but the court found that they did not have the jurisdiction to decide the case according to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. As a result, the Mercedes and its cargo were given over to the custody of Spain.No publisherAct of StateOwnership/propriétéJudicial decision/décision judiciairePeru/PérouJudicial claim/action en justiceState immunity/immunité des EtatsRequest denied/rejet de la demandeAnti-seizure legislation/garantie de restitutionArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueSpain/EspagneUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionColonialism/colonialismeOdyssey Marine ExplorationJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionUnited States/États-UnisPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702015/12/08 15:30:00 GMT+1PageBélier 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+1Page