Italian works of art worth 10 million euros have been found in the United States
Antiques from various American museums have been found to have been obtained illegally
Italian police have found about 200 works of art worth a total of 10 million euros in the United States, the DPA reported. Among them are ancient sculptures, amphorae, vases, ceramic busts, the Carabinieri announced in Rome.
“Investigators have identified a chain ranging from illegal excavations to art dealers and museums in the United States, as well as auction houses, galleries and private collections,” said Roberto Ricardi, commander of the Carabinieri’s Department of Cultural Heritage.
Many of the works are Roman and Etruscan. Most of the 160 returned to Italy. The others are still at the Italian consulate in New York.
The carabinieri worked together with the American authorities. Under the Italian presidency, the G10 agreed in July to crack down on the illegal trade in works of art.
So far, carabinieri have seized nearly 1,700 counterfeit works and more than 23,600 archeological objects worth a total of 427m euros.
Almost 1,190 people have been charged.
