Year of Object(s) Creation: 1000 B.C.E. (approximate)
Estimated Value ($USD): 10,000,000
Object Type(s): Amphora, Apparel, Book, Letter(s), Manuscript, Relic, Religious artifact, Shoe, Vessel
Object Material(s): ceramic, fabric/cloth, ink or dye, paper, terracotta, wax
Provenience Nation: Italy
Provenience Location: Italy
Year Removed from Findspot: 1960 (approximate)

Provenance
Start Year: 2009
End Year:
Circumstance of Acquisition: Given to authorities in Puglia
Nation: Italy
Location: Puglia
Start Year: 2007
End Year: 2009
Circumstance of Acquisition: Berwyn Police Department raid
Nation: United States
Location: Chicago, FBI location: Temporary location during the investigation
Start Year: 1960 (approximate)
End Year: 2007
Circumstance of Acquisition: Allegedly stolen and shipped by Giuseppe Sisto (Father of John Sisto) to John Sisto's home in Chicago
Nation: United States
Location: In the collection of John Sisto (dec.), private collector in Chicago, Illinois

1,600 Italian Artifacts


Description:
Among the 1,600 items, there were parchments and manuscripts (many with papal wax seals and some dating to the 1100s), several hundred Etruscan artifacts (many dating to 500-900 B.C.E.), over 1,000 books (some dating to the 1700s), numerous religious and political artifacts, including letters written by former kings, popes, and members of the Roman Catholic Church; a shoe worn by a clergyman, 100 terracotta heads, and books. While 1,600 items were repatriated to Italy, there was left around 2,000 items that were returned to the Sisto estate, and some objects were sold at Leslie Hindman's Auction in Chicago on March 16, 2010. About the Year of Objects' Creation, all of the items date to different time periods.

Case Status: Object(s) relinquished
Year Claim Initiated: 2007
Year Claim Resolved: 2009
Means of Resolution: Coordinated action by Complainant & Respondent Governments

Complainant Name: Government of Italy
Complainant Nation: Italy
Complainant Nation Economy: Developed
Complainant Type: Public: Government

Respondent Name: Government of the United States of America
Respondent Nation: United States
Respondent Nation Economy: Developed
Respondent Type: Public: Government

Reference Links:

Files:

Editor's Notes:
Edited by Arianne Ohara Verified by Keli Fisher