Acquisition and Exhibition of Classical Antiquities

Description

Cultural property and its stewardship have long been concerns of museums, archaeologists, art historians, and nations, but recently the legal and political consequences of collecting antiquities have also attracted broad media attention. This has been the result, in part, of several high-profile trials, as well as demands by various governments for the return of antiquities to their countries of origin.

These circumstances call out for public discussion that moves beyond the rather clear-cut moral response to looting, to consider the implications of buying, selling, and exhibiting antiquities. To whom should they belong? What constitutes legal ownership of antiquities? What laws govern their importation into the United States, for instance? What circumstances, if any, demand the return of those antiquities to their countries of origin? Is there a consensus among archaeologists and museum directors about these issues?

These and other pertinent issues are addressed in the essays and responses collected in this volume. Delivered at a 2007 symposium by eminent museum directors and curators, legal scholars, archaeologists, and historians and practitioners of art and architecture, these papers comprise a rich and nuanced reference work.

Contributors: Malcolm Bell III, Nancy Bookidis, Douglas E. Bradley, James Cuno, Dennis P. Doordan, Patty Gerstenblith, Charles R. Loving, Michael Lykoudis, Joanne M. Mack, Mary Ellen O’Connell, Robin F. Rhodes, Marcia Rickard, Kimerly Rorschach, C. Brian Rose, Charles Rosenberg, Stefano Vassallo, Charles K. Williams II.

Sujets

• Museum Studies
• Archaeology
• Preservation
• Museology
• Art
• History
• Conservation

Informations

• Publié par: University of Notre Dame Press
• Date de parution: 01 avril 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780268091699
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The Acquisition and Exhibition of Classical Antiquities

A symposium held at the Snite Museum of Art,

University of Notre Dame, February 24, 2007

Organized by Robin F. Rhodes and Charles R. Loving

The Acquisition and Exhibition of Classical Antiquities

Professional, Legal, and Ethical Perspectives

Edited by Ro b i n F. R h o d e s

University of Notre Dame Press Notre Dame, Indiana

Copyright © 2007 by University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 www.undpress.nd.edu All Rights Reserved

Manufactured in the United States of America

Front Cover Image:6th c. BCE temple on Temple Hill in Corinth. Photo courtesy of Robin F. Rhodes.

Back Cover Image:Terracotta mask of Dionysos, 4th c. BCE. Courtesy of the Corinth Excavations, American School of Classical Studies at Athens.

Image facing title page:6th c. BCE temple on Temple Hill in Corinth (detail). Photo courtesy of Robin F. Rhodes.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The acquisition and exhibition of classical antiquities : professional, legal, and ethical perspectives / edited by Robin F. Rhodes. p. cm. ISBN-13: 978-0-268-04027-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-268-04027-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Cultural property—Protection. 2. Cultural property—Protection— Law and legislation. 3. Cultural property—Protection (International law) 4. Archaeological thefts. 5. Archaeology—Moral and ethical aspects. 6. Archaeologists—Professional ethics. 7. Antiquities— Collection and preservation—Moral and ethical aspects. 8. Greece— Antiquities—Collection and preservation. 9. Rome—Antiquities— Collection and preservation. 10. Middle East—Antiquities—Collection and preservation. I. Rhodes, Robin Francis. CC175.A28 2007 069'.5—dc22 2007035546

∞The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources.

To Douglas and Marjorie Kinsey

Contents

Preface

xi

Introduction1 Robin F. Rhodes, Moderator

Art Museum Director Perspective

        Art Museums, Archaeology, and Antiquities in an Age of Sectarian Violence and Nationalist Politics9 James Cuno

Response to James Cuno Charles Rosenberg

27

American Archaeologist Perspective

        Dealing with Looted Antiquities: Existing Collections and the Market31 Malcolm Bell III

Response to Malcolm Bell Dennis P. Doordan

43

viii

Contents

Legal Perspective

        The Acquisition and Exhibition of Classical Antiquities: The Legal Perspective47 Patty Gerstenblith

Response to Patty Gerstenblith Douglas E. Bradley

61

University Museum Director Perspective

        Scylla or Charybdis: Antiquities Collecting by University Art Museums65 Kimerly Rorschach

Response to Kimerly Rorschach Charles R. Loving

Response to Kimerly Rorschach Robin F. Rhodes

Italian Archaeologist Perspective

74

77

        Antiquities without Provenance: The Original Sin in the Field81 Stefano Vassallo

Response to Stefano Vassallo Michael Lykoudis

92

International Legal Perspective

Contents

        Rethinking the Remedy of Return in International Art Law Mary Ellen O’Connell, with Maria Alevras-Chen

Response to Mary Ellen O’Connell Charles K. Williams II

114

Case Study: Illicit Greek Antiquities Trade

        The Corinth Theft Nancy Bookidis

119

Response to Nancy Bookidis Joanne M. Mack

132

Case Study: Education of the Public

        Talking to the Troops about the Archaeology of Iraq and Afghanistan139 C. Brian Rose

Response to C. Brian Rose Marcia Rickard

Conclusion Robin F. Rhodes

155

152

Appendix: UNESCO Convention of 1970

List of Participants

169

160

95

i

x