Investigators Seize $95 Million in Looted Met Artifacts Since 2017
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 30
Investigators Seize $95 Million in Looted Met Artifacts Since 2017
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 30
Summary
Dozens of ancient objects were removed from the Metropolitan Museum this month, lifting the value of artifacts seized from the Met since 2017 to more than $95 million.
More than 120 artifacts have been taken in that period, along with hundreds of smaller items, as investigators pursue returns to Italy, Turkey, Egypt and other countries where the pieces are believed to have been looted.
Four newly disclosed June seizures included a 3,700-year-old Greek jug, a Greek marble head, a 2,000-year-old Turkish bronze Hermes statuette and an Egyptian gold headpiece, valued from $80,000 to $500,000.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said improved tracking of international antiquities trafficking rings has accelerated the seizures, which also covered some objects on loan to the museum.
The Met said it cooperated with investigators and agreed to relinquish the items after internal review, pointing to a recently expanded 12-person provenance research team.
How many looted artifacts are hiding in plain sight in the world's most famous museums?
As global pressure mounts, will museums be forced to empty their halls of priceless antiquities?
Can new laws truly stop the flow of looted treasures in the $579 billion art market?
$95 Million in Looted Artifacts Seized: The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Crisis and the Global Reckoning Over Stolen Heritage
Overview
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is facing a growing crisis as law enforcement intensifies efforts to recover looted artifacts, with the value of seized items from its collection surpassing $95 million by June 2026. This surge in investigations and seizures highlights the global scale and persistence of illicit antiquities trafficking. Recent actions by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, including multiple warrants and the recovery of high-value pieces like a $25 million bronze statue, underscore the ongoing challenge. The situation reveals how deeply criminal networks have infiltrated major institutions and the urgent need for stronger safeguards and ethical practices.