Ancient Greek Artifact Returns Home After Decades in the U.S.
Greece has officially recovered a rare 2,600-year-old bronze artifact that was stolen from ancient Olympia in the 1930s. The artifact, a striking bronze griffin head dating back to 650-625 BC, was previously on display at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Described by the Greek culture ministry as a masterpiece of ancient Greek craftsmanship, the artifact was originally part of a tripod cauldron—an offering commonly made to the gods. It was first discovered in 1914 near an ancient gymnasium where athletes once trained for the Olympic Games. However, before it could be properly cataloged, it vanished from a local museum in 1936 and was later sold to American art dealer Joseph Brummer.
The artifact eventually found its way to the Met, where it was bequeathed in 1971 by financier and former museum vice president Walter C. Baker. Years later, after thorough research, experts confirmed its origins, prompting the Met to take steps toward its rightful return.
In a ceremony at the museum, Met director Max Hollein officially handed back the artifact, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to ethical acquisitions. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni noted that Athens had not initially filed a claim but praised the museum for conducting its own investigation into the griffin head’s provenance.
Greece continues its efforts to reclaim historical treasures, including a long-standing mission to secure the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum. Through agreements like the one with the Met, which will see 161 Bronze Age artifacts gradually returned over the next 25 years, Greece remains dedicated to restoring its cultural heritage.
