An interesting side note to the story of stolen cultural heritage items, especially from India. The Economic Times reveals that Canadian authorities are in possession of a statue that is clearly from India. Unfortunately, no one has reported the statue missing or stolen. No one, in fact, claims ownership:
The Department of Canadian Heritage has had an item in storage for the past three years that’s decidedly not North American in origin. It’s a life-size, red sandstone statue of a woman with a parrot on her bare shoulder. The voluptuous nature of the figure and various other unmistakable features clearly declare it to be a 12th century Khajuraho sculpture.
The Canadians have no problem returning the work but they’re apparently unable to do so because no theft was ever reported and therefore India can’t prove ownership.
Sculpture mystery: Stolen Indian artwork in Canadian custody raises minor diplomatic storm (The Economic Times)
