Cyprus continues to fight to preserve its cultural heritage: a unique ancient artifact was returned to the island from the UK after it was discovered at an online auction.
This was reported in the Department of Antiquities, stressing the importance of international cooperation in countering the illicit trafficking of historical values.
We are talking about a ceramic vessel – a jug, which dates back to 750-600 BC. Experts have identified the subject thanks to the system monitoring of online sites, where objects of dubious origin often appear. After establishing the fact of the sale, representatives of the department promptly contacted the auction house, which made it possible to stop the transaction.
As a result, the artifact was withdrawn from the auction and handed over to the representatives of the Republic of Cyprus in London on March 7. Then the procedure for his official return to his homeland began. According to experts, the vessel belongs to the Black on Red III (IV) type – a ceramic style characteristic of ancient Cyprus. It has a rounded body shape, a short cylindrical neck, and a vertical handle. The surface is decorated with an ornament of concentric circles and stripes, although the edge of the product, unfortunately, has not been preserved.
The Department of Antiquities expressed gratitude to the auction house Watsons, as well as private individuals who voluntarily contributed to the return of historical value. Separately, the work of the cultural department of the High Commission of Cyprus in London, which played a key role in coordinating the repatriation process, was noted.
The return of such finds is becoming increasingly important against the backdrop of the growth of the illegal antiques market. In recent years, Cyprus has been increasing its control over cultural property and actively using digital tools to track stolen or illegally exported artifacts. This case was another example of the successful protection of national heritage and a reminder of the need for strict international regulation in the field of trade in antiquities.
Источник: cyprus-mail.com
https://cyprusbutterfly.com.cy/news/na-kipr-vernuli-drevnij-artifakt
