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+1DocumentWaurà Indians Collection – Museum der Kulturen Basel, Penteado Coelho Heirs and Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia Universidade de São Paulo, Waurà Indians
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/waura-indians-collection-2013-museum-der-kulturen-basel-penteado-coelho-heirs-and-museu-de-arqueologia-e-etnologia-universidade-de-sao-paulo-waura-indians
Vera Penteado Coelho, a Brazilian ethnologist, bequeathed to the Museum der Kulturen Basel her collection of Waurà cultural objects. Following opposition from the Waurà Indians and the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia Universidade de São Paulo, the Basel Museum entered into negotiations to allow the collection to remain in Brazil. Eight years later, in 2008, the collection was donated to the São Paulo Museum. No publisherWaurà Indians/Indiens WauràIndigenous object/objet autochtoneLegacy/legsMuseu de Arqueologia e Etnologia Universidad de São PauloVera Penteado CoelhoMuseum der Kulturen BaselDonationNegotiation/négociationCultural cooperation/coopération culturellePost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Settlement agreement/accord transactionnel2013/04/16 13:55:00 GMT+1DocumentWasco 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+1DocumentTwo 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+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+1DocumentStèles historiques – Galerie d’art c. Italie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/affaire-steles-historiques-2013-galerie-d2019art-c-italie
En 1980, des stèles historiques sont remises par la Suisse à l’Italie dans le cadre d’une procédure pénale ouverte en Italie. Une Galerie d’art suisse introduit une action en Suisse pour récupérer les stèles historiques. L’Italie se prévaut de son immunité de juridiction. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireState immunity/immunité des EtatsItaly/ItalieEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Request denied/rejet de la demande2013/04/02 15:45:00 GMT+1DocumentSt. Agatha Statue – St. Martin’s Church and Private Person
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/st-agatha-statue-2013-st-martin2019s-church-and-private-person
In November 2012, Sotheby’s offered at auction a meter-tall statue of St. Agatha, by the Dutch sculptor Jan van Steffieswert (1465-1530). It was stolen in 1976 from St. Martin’s Church, in Gronsveld, the Netherlands.No publisherCriminal offence/infraction pénaleSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArtwork/oeuvre d’artSymbolic gesture/geste symboliquePrivate person/personne privéeDue diligenceMediation/médiationRepurchase/rachatSt. Martin’s ChurchPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriété2015/02/09 11:15:00 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+1DocumentSarcophage 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+1DocumentQuatre 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+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 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+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+1Document