Head from an antefix
 | Head from an antefix Date: c. 500 B.C. Dimensions: Overall: 9 x 5 5/8 x 5 3/16 in. (22.86 x 14.3 x 13.18 cm) Medium: Terracotta Credit Line: Lent by the Republic of Italy Culture: Italy: Etruscan |
Deaccession Criteria: Restitution/Returned to rightful owner: the work has been legally requested for restitution. Giacomo Medici is a former antiquities dealer based in Rome, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland, who was found guilty of receiving stolen goods, illegal export of goods, and conspiracy to traffic by the Italian government and sentenced to ten years in prison and a €10 million fine. In 1995 the Carabinieri, in concert with Swiss police, raided Medici’s storage space in Geneva, which contained thousands of objects, photographs (including many Polaroids), and documents relating to his business practices and connections. Along with Gianfranco Becchina, he has been identified by the Carabinieri as one of the most prolific known traffickers of Italian cultural heritage. London-based antiquities dealer Robin Symes is also accused of playing a pivotal role in the illegal trade of looted antiquities. He is known to have commercial relations with dealer Giacomo Medici, who was the ultimate source of the artifacts. Prior to the Medici conviction, Robin Symes had been involved in a civil court case, and in January 2005 he was sentenced to two years in prison for contempt of court for not fully disclosing his assets. PURCHASE INFORMATION: Robin Symes, London PROVENANCE SUPPLIED: Henri Jacques, Geneva PUBLISHED REFERENCES:
EXHIBITION HISTORY:
PROPOSED METHOD OF DISPOSAL: Long-term loan to DMA, if approved by Italian government; eventual return to Italy CRITERIA FOR DEACCESSIONING: A request from the Italian government for restitution, with compelling evidence, including photographs, that object was looted and/or illegally exported EVIDENCE: | |