[CPProt.net] Italy-USA: Dates in the vase case

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Dates in the vase case

November 14, 2005


1939: Italy passes law claiming for the government all archaeological
artifacts, except those in private hands before 1902. 

1983: U.S. Congress ratifies a UNESCO accord on tighter international
import-export restrictions on cultural property. The Minneapolis Institute
of Arts purchases ancient red figure vase from British art dealer Robin
Symes.

1995: A raid on a Swiss warehouse yields thousands of illicit antiquities
and photos of thousands more. One photo shows a detail apparently matching
the Minneapolis vase. 

2005: Italian authorities claim that eight American museums, including the
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, hold antiquities that rightfully belong to
Italy. 

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