Sunday Times E-Paper

Australia to return 14 artworks of disputed provenance to India

The National Gallery of Australia is to return 14 works of art to India that are suspected of having been stolen, looted or exported illegally.

The religious and cultural artefacts include sculptures, photos and a scroll and are worth around $2.2m. Gallery director Nick Mitzevich said their return would close "a very difficult chapter of our history". All but one of the works are connected to Subhash Kapoor, a former New York art dealer and alleged trafficker. Kapoor, who is awaiting trial in India, denies all charges.

Some of the disputed pieces date back to the 12th Century, when the Chola dynasty presided over a flourishing of Hindu art in Tamil Nadu.

The Canberra gallery has already returned several other works it acquired via Kapoor, including a bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva it bought for $5m. Mr Mitzevich told the AFP news agency that

the works would be returned to the Indian government within months.

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2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytimes.pressreader.com/article/282338272915663

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