US authorities return to India ten ancient works seized from major galleries

Ten antique works seized in the United States have returned to their homeland during a ceremony commemorating India’s Independence Day: authorities from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have in fact returned a dozen stolen works with a total value of $1.15 million toIndia.

The antiquities had been seized in 2015 and 2016 from different exhibition venues: two from Christie’ s at Rockefeller Center, three from Nancy Weiner Gallery, and five from Maitreya Gallery in New York.

Among the works were a marble panel depicting anapsara dating from the 10th century, estimated at $500,000, and a sandstone depiction of Parvatu holding a whip with a male figure at his side, dating from the 11th century and valued at $54,000.

The most valuable works had been seized by Christie’s: a sandstone stele of Rishabhanata flanked by a pair of standing figures from Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, dating from the 10th century and valued at approximately $150,000, and a sandstone panel depicting Revanta with his retinue (a rare depiction of the equestrian deity, of fundamental importance to Hindus), dating from the 8th century and valued at approximately $300,000.

U.S. authorities would therefore reveal for the first time the names of the galleries and owners from which these works had been seized, as well as the estimates of the works themselves.

Most of the raids reportedly took place duringAsia Week New York in 2016.

Pictured is the Rishabhanata sandstone stele stolen from Christie’s. Ph.Credit U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

US authorities return to India ten ancient works seized from major galleries

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