Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Italian Horde Found in Chicago

June 11, 2009 by Marion Maneker

The New York Times directed us to this fascinating story out of Chicago where three generations of a family were affected by the trafficking in historic items including documents from popes and artifacts from European kings:

In all, federal officials found an astounding treasure-trove of about 3,500 ancient artifacts, religious relics, rare manuscripts and other historic items after Sisto’s death in March 2007. Federal officials said Monday that the results of a two-year investigation determined that 1,600 of those items were stolen from Italy and shipped to the U.S. to be sold. The items, with an estimated value of $5 million and $10 million, will be returned to Italy later this week, according to FBI spokesman Ross Rice.

The ownership of the remaining 2,000 items could not be verified, so they were being returned to the Sisto family. Although the items were removed from Italy in violation of its cultural property laws, Rice said there would be no U.S. criminal prosecutions in connection with theft, transportation or possession of stolen artifacts.

Italian Treasures in Berwyn Home Worth Millions (Chicagobreakingnews.com)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Christie’s Opens in Beverly Hills: “Our Moment to Shine in LA”Christie’s Opens in Beverly Hills: “Our Moment to Shine in LA”
  • Johns Flag Raised at Christie'sJohns Flag Raised at Christie's
  • Taubman Estate Gets $500m GuaranteeTaubman Estate Gets $500m Guarantee
  • Spanish Museums Continue to Draw More VisitorsSpanish Museums Continue to Draw More Visitors
  • ABMB Sales: Bloomberg EditionABMB Sales: Bloomberg Edition
  • Deutscher & Hackett Open Online Sales VenueDeutscher & Hackett Open Online Sales Venue

Filed Under: Fraud, Theft & Restitution

About Marion Maneker

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Lost Lempicka Discovered at Sotheby's
  • $10 M. Picasso Portrait Unseen for Decades to Sell at Bonhams
  • Vienna Secession Painting, Long Thought to Be Lost, Sets a Record at Auction
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • Collection of Texas Heiress Anne Marion Expected to Fetch $150 M. at Sotheby’s
  • Roy Lichtenstein’s Top Ten Auction Prices
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • Selection Bias In Art Is What Creates Value
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor