Late on Friday, Michael Steinhardt’s home and office (both on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan) were raided to seize Greek and Italian antiquities from the hedge fund pioneer’s collection.
Among the pieces seized on Friday from Mr. Steinhardt was a Greek white-ground attic lekythos — or oil vessel — from the fifth century B.C., depicting a funeral scene with the figures of a woman and a youth, according to the search warrant. It is worth at least $380,000. Also seized were Proto-Corinthian figures from the seventh century B.C., depicting an owl and a duck, together worth about $250,000. The other pieces included an Apulian terra-cotta flask in the shape of an African head from the fourth century B.C.; an Ionian sculpture of a ram’s head from the sixth century; and an attic aryballos, a vessel for oil or perfume, from the early fifth century. The objects were all bought in the last 12 years for a total cost of $1.1 million, according to the warrants.
Steinhardt has been the subject of the New York District Attorney’s attention before on these matters. He is also a major benefactor to the Metropolitan Museum.
Looted Antiques Seized From Billionaire’s Home, Prosecutors Say (The New York Times)
