Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Pre-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+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+1PagePortrait 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+1PagePièces 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+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+1PageOrpheus 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+1PageOn the Shore of the Seine – United States v. Baltimore Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/on-the-shore-of-the-seine-2013-united-states-of-america-v-baltimore-museum-of-art
In 1951, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s painting “On the shore of the Seine” was stolen from the Baltimore Museum of Art in the United States. Over fifty years later, Marcia Fuqua bought this painting for US $7 at a flea market and tried to auction it off after learning of its value. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireBaltimore Museum of ArtArtwork/oeuvre d’artUnited States/États-UnisDue diligenceJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionMarcia FuquaPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriété2015/02/17 18:15:00 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+1PageMosaïques de Kanakaria – Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus et Chypre c. Goldberg
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/mosaiques-de-kanakaria-2013-autocephalous-greek-orthodox-church-of-cyprus-et-chypre-c-goldberg
Quatre mosaïques sont volées dans l’Eglise chypriote du village de Lythrankomi. Une dizaine d’années plus tard, elles sont achetées par Goldberg, une commerçante d’art américaine. L’Eglise chypriote finit par apprendre le lieu où se trouvent les mosaïques et la personne en possession de celles-ci. Peu après, l’Eglise chypriote et la République de Chypre introduisent une action en justice auprès des tribunaux de l’Etat de l’Indiana aux Etats-Unis. No publisherCyprus/ChypreOwnership/propriétéJudicial decision/décision judiciaireJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionStatute of limitation/prescriptionAutocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of CyprusPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Choice of law/droit applicableDue diligenceAntiquity/antiquitésGoldberg2013/04/25 19:45:00 GMT+1PageMorgantina 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+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+1PageMasque Nalindele – Zambie et Personne privée
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/masque-nalindele-2013-zambie-et-personne-privee
En juin 1989 le Masque Nalindele est volé au Musée national de Livingston en Zambie. En 1996 un antiquaire l’acquière à Paris. Apprenant qu’il s’agit d’un objet volé, il décide de le restituer aux autorités belges que le restitueront par la suite à la Zambie.No publisherUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionPrivate person/personne privéeCriminal offence/infraction pénaleZambieDue diligenceICOMBelgium/BelgiqueIndigenous object/objet autochtoneUnconstrained initiative/initiative spontanéePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702017/09/08 15:05:00 GMT+1PageMasque Makondé – Tanzanie et Musée Barbier-Mueller
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/masque-makonde-tanzanie-et-musee-barbier-mueller
En 2010, le Musée Barbier-Mueller fait don du Masque Makondé à la Tanzanie, et met ainsi fin à un litige qui aura duré plus de 20 ans. Le litige fut porté devant le Comité intergouvernemental de l’UNESCO. L’Office fédéral suisse de la culture (OFC) est aussi intervenu.No publisherMediation/médiationOwnership/propriétéConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionNegotiation/négociationTanzania/TanzaniePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Musée Barbier-MuellerInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocIndigenous object/objet autochtoneSwitzerland/Suisse2012/11/16 10:25:00 GMT+1PageMaori Panels – New Zealand and Ortiz Heirs
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/maori-panels-2013-new-zealand-and-ortiz-heirs-1
In 1972, five rare Maori wooden panels were discovered in a swamp in New Zealand’s North Island. Shortly after the discovery, the panels were illegally exported out of the country by an antiquities dealer and then bought by Swiss collector George Ortiz. In 2014 New Zealand obtained the return of the Maori panels by virtue of an agreement with the heirs of Ortiz.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeIndigenous object/objet autochtoneIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionSale/venteJudicial claim/action en justiceNegotiation/négociationEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerNew-Zealand/Nouvelle-ZélandeOrtiz HeirsPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Te Papa MuseumChoice of law/droit applicableGeorge OrtizRepurchase/rachatSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelJudicial decision/décision judiciaire2018/11/20 16:45:00 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+1Page