MOLA
@museumofloot.bsky.social
Museum of Looted Antiquities is a virtual gallery that collects, displays and studies looted antiquities that have been repatriated since 1950 – and the trafficking networks behind them.
MuseumOfLoot.org
MuseumOfLoot.org
New case: Three Roman Heads from Butrint, contributed by Michela Herbert
February 3, 2026 at 9:55 PM
New case: Three Roman Heads from Butrint, contributed by Michela Herbert
New case: Gandharan Relief from Afghanistan's National Museum, contributed by Michela Herbert
During Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, nearly 70% of the National Museum's collection was destroyed or looted – around 70,000 objects.
During Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, nearly 70% of the National Museum's collection was destroyed or looted – around 70,000 objects.
February 1, 2026 at 10:01 PM
New case: Gandharan Relief from Afghanistan's National Museum, contributed by Michela Herbert
During Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, nearly 70% of the National Museum's collection was destroyed or looted – around 70,000 objects.
During Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, nearly 70% of the National Museum's collection was destroyed or looted – around 70,000 objects.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is returning to the Indian government three bronzes after extensive provenance research indicated that the objects were removed from their original sites illegally
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Smithsonian Asian art museum to return three stolen bronzes to India
The National Museum of Asian Art is returning three works to the Indian government after extensive research indicated they were illegally taken.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is returning to the Indian government three bronzes after extensive provenance research indicated that the objects were removed from their original sites illegally
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
New Case: A 5th c. BC Etruscan tripod. Contributed by Lisa Duffy-Zeballos.
The Getty Museum's 1996 repatriation of this bronze tripod shows how objects stolen from private collections at times passed through the illicit antiquities trade along with recently looted objects.
The Getty Museum's 1996 repatriation of this bronze tripod shows how objects stolen from private collections at times passed through the illicit antiquities trade along with recently looted objects.
January 24, 2026 at 2:26 AM
New Case: A 5th c. BC Etruscan tripod. Contributed by Lisa Duffy-Zeballos.
The Getty Museum's 1996 repatriation of this bronze tripod shows how objects stolen from private collections at times passed through the illicit antiquities trade along with recently looted objects.
The Getty Museum's 1996 repatriation of this bronze tripod shows how objects stolen from private collections at times passed through the illicit antiquities trade along with recently looted objects.
Six looted ancient Greek artifacts, including a marble sculpture that had been an offering at a now destroyed temple of Artemis in Piraeus, were repatriated Thursday from London following a long legal battle over the estate of trafficker Robin Symes
www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1293...
www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1293...
Repatriated Greek antiquities include Artemis relief from destroyed Piraeus sanctuary | eKathimerini.com
Six looted ancient Greek artifacts, including a marble sculpture that had been an offering at a now destroyed temple of Artemis in Piraeus, were repatriated Thursday from London following a long legal...
www.ekathimerini.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Six looted ancient Greek artifacts, including a marble sculpture that had been an offering at a now destroyed temple of Artemis in Piraeus, were repatriated Thursday from London following a long legal battle over the estate of trafficker Robin Symes
www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1293...
www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1293...
Reposted by MOLA
After a successful election, staff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are officially unionized. The new union will represent workers across 50 departments, including curators, librarians, conservators, visitor experience, and archivists.
Met Museum Workers Are Officially Unionized
The new union will represent staff across 50 departments of the Manhattan institution.
hyperallergic.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:19 PM
After a successful election, staff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are officially unionized. The new union will represent workers across 50 departments, including curators, librarians, conservators, visitor experience, and archivists.
New Case: The Ox, Monkey and Tiger Zodiacal fountainheads from the Old Summer Palace. Contributed by Jeff Tsai.
January 16, 2026 at 11:29 PM
New Case: The Ox, Monkey and Tiger Zodiacal fountainheads from the Old Summer Palace. Contributed by Jeff Tsai.
Good news: Sudan's government said it has recovered what it described as large collections of antiquities looted from museums in Khartoum during the war, and it plans to announce details at a Tuesday ceremony in Port Sudan.
www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/suda...
www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/suda...
Sudan recovers large collections of looted antiquities - Türkiye Today
It described the event as part of national efforts aimed at protecting cultural heritage and safeguarding the country's historical memory
www.turkiyetoday.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Good news: Sudan's government said it has recovered what it described as large collections of antiquities looted from museums in Khartoum during the war, and it plans to announce details at a Tuesday ceremony in Port Sudan.
www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/suda...
www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/suda...
France and Mexico have agreed to mutual loans of two colonial-era codices: the Codex Azcatitlán, held in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France since 1898, and the Codex Boturini, kept in Mexico’s Biblioteca Nacional de Antropología e Historia.
www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/01/05/f...
www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/01/05/f...
France and Mexico trade loans of colonial codices, putting spotlight on calls for restitution
The historic exchange between libraries in Paris and Mexico City is tied to the 200th anniversary of bilateral relations between the countries
www.theartnewspaper.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:58 PM
France and Mexico have agreed to mutual loans of two colonial-era codices: the Codex Azcatitlán, held in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France since 1898, and the Codex Boturini, kept in Mexico’s Biblioteca Nacional de Antropología e Historia.
www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/01/05/f...
www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/01/05/f...
After a restful break, we're back!
New Case: 49 Dacian coins, contributed by Teo Grieder
In 2003, some 2,300 silver and gold coins were smuggled out of Romania. Among them were 49 silver drachmae, known as kosons, that were minted during the reign of the Dacian king Koson, between 44 and 29 BCE.
New Case: 49 Dacian coins, contributed by Teo Grieder
In 2003, some 2,300 silver and gold coins were smuggled out of Romania. Among them were 49 silver drachmae, known as kosons, that were minted during the reign of the Dacian king Koson, between 44 and 29 BCE.
January 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM
After a restful break, we're back!
New Case: 49 Dacian coins, contributed by Teo Grieder
In 2003, some 2,300 silver and gold coins were smuggled out of Romania. Among them were 49 silver drachmae, known as kosons, that were minted during the reign of the Dacian king Koson, between 44 and 29 BCE.
New Case: 49 Dacian coins, contributed by Teo Grieder
In 2003, some 2,300 silver and gold coins were smuggled out of Romania. Among them were 49 silver drachmae, known as kosons, that were minted during the reign of the Dacian king Koson, between 44 and 29 BCE.
Spain recovers two remarkable bronzes that were trafficked through the art market, sold by Christie's and lent to the Met Museum with a false provenance: the family of renowned Swiss collector Giovanni Züst
via @sauterne.bsky.social
art-crime.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
via @sauterne.bsky.social
art-crime.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
The Partridge Chase: How two Roman toddlers led Spain to a trafficking breakthrough
"A blog about art crimes, illicit trafficking, forgery, art theft and cultural heritage protection."
art-crime.blogspot.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Spain recovers two remarkable bronzes that were trafficked through the art market, sold by Christie's and lent to the Met Museum with a false provenance: the family of renowned Swiss collector Giovanni Züst
via @sauterne.bsky.social
art-crime.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
via @sauterne.bsky.social
art-crime.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
Switzerland remains a hub for looted cultural property, despite notable improvements
Federal Office of Culture says 652 cultural properties have been confiscated by Swiss criminal prosecution authorities over the past five years.
www.swissinfo.ch/fre/le-meill...
Federal Office of Culture says 652 cultural properties have been confiscated by Swiss criminal prosecution authorities over the past five years.
www.swissinfo.ch/fre/le-meill...
La Suisse reste une plaque tournante pour les biens culturels pillés, malgré des améliorations notables
Actrice majeure du marché de l’art, la Suisse reste une plaque tournante du commerce illégal de biens culturels. Mais la situation s’est améliorée ces 20 dernières années grâce à la mise en place d’un...
www.swissinfo.ch
January 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Switzerland remains a hub for looted cultural property, despite notable improvements
Federal Office of Culture says 652 cultural properties have been confiscated by Swiss criminal prosecution authorities over the past five years.
www.swissinfo.ch/fre/le-meill...
Federal Office of Culture says 652 cultural properties have been confiscated by Swiss criminal prosecution authorities over the past five years.
www.swissinfo.ch/fre/le-meill...
Times: The British Museum is looking for a "treasure hunter" to track down the hundreds of gems, cameos and gold fragments allegedly stolen from storerooms by former curator Peter Higgs. The BM has recovered just 654 of the estimated 1,500 items stolen.
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
Treasure hunter wanted as British Museum races to find lost gold
An overstretched team are looking for a professional to help recover hundreds of missing items before they are destroyed or melted down
www.thetimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Times: The British Museum is looking for a "treasure hunter" to track down the hundreds of gems, cameos and gold fragments allegedly stolen from storerooms by former curator Peter Higgs. The BM has recovered just 654 of the estimated 1,500 items stolen.
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
www.thetimes.com/culture/art/...
NYT: For Some Nazi Loot, Value Is Measured on a Different Scale
For descendants of those who lost everything in the Holocaust, missing items can carry vast emotional weight. Reclaiming them can feel like resurrecting family life that was lost to atrocity.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...
For descendants of those who lost everything in the Holocaust, missing items can carry vast emotional weight. Reclaiming them can feel like resurrecting family life that was lost to atrocity.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...
For Some Nazi Loot, Value Is Measured on a Different Scale
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:13 PM
NYT: For Some Nazi Loot, Value Is Measured on a Different Scale
For descendants of those who lost everything in the Holocaust, missing items can carry vast emotional weight. Reclaiming them can feel like resurrecting family life that was lost to atrocity.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...
For descendants of those who lost everything in the Holocaust, missing items can carry vast emotional weight. Reclaiming them can feel like resurrecting family life that was lost to atrocity.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...
“The art market is the meeting point of many forms of covert and criminal activity — from archaeological looting to money laundering, from intelligence operations to sanctions evasion.”
December 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
“The art market is the meeting point of many forms of covert and criminal activity — from archaeological looting to money laundering, from intelligence operations to sanctions evasion.”
NYRB: The Empire Gives Back
Susan Tallman reviews Who Owns Beauty? by Bénédicte Savoy, and Every Monument Will Fall: A Story of Remembering and Forgetting
by Dan Hicks
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Susan Tallman reviews Who Owns Beauty? by Bénédicte Savoy, and Every Monument Will Fall: A Story of Remembering and Forgetting
by Dan Hicks
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
The Empire Gives Back | Susan Tallman
What does a fair policy of museum repatriation look like? A new book considers the issue in terms of human rights, cultural sovereignty, and stewardship.
www.nybooks.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:02 AM
NYRB: The Empire Gives Back
Susan Tallman reviews Who Owns Beauty? by Bénédicte Savoy, and Every Monument Will Fall: A Story of Remembering and Forgetting
by Dan Hicks
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Susan Tallman reviews Who Owns Beauty? by Bénédicte Savoy, and Every Monument Will Fall: A Story of Remembering and Forgetting
by Dan Hicks
www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
New Case: The Chalcatzingo Monument #9, contributed by Jason Felch.
This intricately carved Olmec monumental stela originated from Chalcatzingo, an important Olmec site in the Mexican central highlands, where it was found in a farmer's yard in 1962.
This intricately carved Olmec monumental stela originated from Chalcatzingo, an important Olmec site in the Mexican central highlands, where it was found in a farmer's yard in 1962.
December 24, 2025 at 2:04 AM
New Case: The Chalcatzingo Monument #9, contributed by Jason Felch.
This intricately carved Olmec monumental stela originated from Chalcatzingo, an important Olmec site in the Mexican central highlands, where it was found in a farmer's yard in 1962.
This intricately carved Olmec monumental stela originated from Chalcatzingo, an important Olmec site in the Mexican central highlands, where it was found in a farmer's yard in 1962.
Reposted by MOLA
"Under this model, formerly colonized nations must ask permission to temporarily access their own heritage, accept conditions dictated by a British institution, and bear the financial and logistical burdens of care, while the museum retains ultimate control."
British Museum fully delulu good lord
British Museum fully delulu good lord
British Museum Launches Farcical “Decolonizing” Loan Program
Long-term loans to former colonies are not restitution. They do not acknowledge historical wrongdoing, nor do they restore agency to source communities.
hyperallergic.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"Under this model, formerly colonized nations must ask permission to temporarily access their own heritage, accept conditions dictated by a British institution, and bear the financial and logistical burdens of care, while the museum retains ultimate control."
British Museum fully delulu good lord
British Museum fully delulu good lord
Pauley admitted to his role in a nationwide network of individuals who bought and sold human remains stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary.
Pauley also sold many of the stolen remains to others, at least one of whom also knew they had been stolen.
Pauley also sold many of the stolen remains to others, at least one of whom also knew they had been stolen.
Jeremy Pauley sentenced to 6yrs then a $2k fine and 3yrs supervised release. Christmas comes early for me :) www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr... @counteringcrime.bsky.social @museumofloot.bsky.social
www.justice.gov
December 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Pauley admitted to his role in a nationwide network of individuals who bought and sold human remains stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary.
Pauley also sold many of the stolen remains to others, at least one of whom also knew they had been stolen.
Pauley also sold many of the stolen remains to others, at least one of whom also knew they had been stolen.
India’s efforts to repatriate the Chola-era Leiden copper plates, also known as Anaimangalam copper plates, from the Dutch university continue to face delays after it was raised at UNESCO’s Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property
www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...
www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...
Efforts to repatriate Leiden copper plates from the Netherlands continue to face delays
Repatriation of the Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates from the Netherlands faces ongoing delays, despite government efforts.
www.thehindu.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:54 AM
India’s efforts to repatriate the Chola-era Leiden copper plates, also known as Anaimangalam copper plates, from the Dutch university continue to face delays after it was raised at UNESCO’s Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property
www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...
www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...
Italian police are trying to retrieve 300 ancient artefacts from the private collection of Vassil Bojkov, a Bulgarian oligarch nicknamed “the Skull” who has been accused in Bulgaria of corruption.
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
‘Skull’ oligarch accused of hoarding treasures looted from Italy
Ceramic vases dating to the Greek rule of southern Italy are among hundreds of pieces owned by Vassil Bojkov, thought to be Bulgaria’s richest man
www.thetimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Italian police are trying to retrieve 300 ancient artefacts from the private collection of Vassil Bojkov, a Bulgarian oligarch nicknamed “the Skull” who has been accused in Bulgaria of corruption.
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
New Case: An Attic Red-Figured Mask Kantharos, contributed by Jason Felch.
The ownership history of this ancient cup illustrates how fragments of looted objects are distributed among dealers before being reassembled in museum collections.
The ownership history of this ancient cup illustrates how fragments of looted objects are distributed among dealers before being reassembled in museum collections.
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 PM
New Case: An Attic Red-Figured Mask Kantharos, contributed by Jason Felch.
The ownership history of this ancient cup illustrates how fragments of looted objects are distributed among dealers before being reassembled in museum collections.
The ownership history of this ancient cup illustrates how fragments of looted objects are distributed among dealers before being reassembled in museum collections.
Manhattan DA recently returned 26 antiquities, valued at $75,000, to the people of Bangladesh. The objects were recovered pursuant to the criminal investigation into the antiquities trafficking networks run by the alleged trafficker Subhash Kapoor
manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-an...
manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-an...
D.A. Bragg Announces Return Of 43 Antiquities To The People Of Türkiye
“The looting into ancient sites like Bubon were extensive, and I am pleased that our investigation has yielded such significant results. I thank the work of our prosecutors and analysts for their dedi...
manhattanda.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Manhattan DA recently returned 26 antiquities, valued at $75,000, to the people of Bangladesh. The objects were recovered pursuant to the criminal investigation into the antiquities trafficking networks run by the alleged trafficker Subhash Kapoor
manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-an...
manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-an...
Rick St Hilaire in The Hill calls for a dedicated federal cult prop unit: “If America is to safeguard its art market — the world’s largest — and uphold the rule of law, we must move beyond artifact repossession [of looted antiquities] to criminal accountability.”
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
thehill.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Rick St Hilaire in The Hill calls for a dedicated federal cult prop unit: “If America is to safeguard its art market — the world’s largest — and uphold the rule of law, we must move beyond artifact repossession [of looted antiquities] to criminal accountability.”
thehill.com/opinion/crim...
thehill.com/opinion/crim...