Year of Object(s) Creation: 1400 C.E. (approximate)
Estimated Value ($USD): 436,000
Object Type(s): Religious artifact, Sculpture, Statue
Object Material(s): bronze, metal
Provenience Nation: India
Provenience Location: A Tirunelveli temple in the city of Nellai
Year Removed from Findspot: 1982

Provenance
Start Year: 2001
End Year:
Circumstance of Acquisition: Bought from London art dealers, Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch for $436,000
Nation: Australia
Location: Art Gallery of South Australia
Start Year:
End Year: 2001
Circumstance of Acquisition: Acquired by London art dealers, Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch
Nation: United Kingdom
Location: London
Start Year: 1982
End Year:
Circumstance of Acquisition: Allegedly stolen and smuggled from a Tirunelveli temple in the city of Nellai
Nation:
Location:

Indian Bronze Dancing Shiva From Nellai


Description:
The bronze Dancing Shiva figure has been identified as stolen and authorities have commenced a bid for its return to India. It is believed that this is one of the four statues that were allegedly stolen from a Tirunelveli temple in Nellai. However, between being reported as missing in 1982 and its purchase by the Art Gallery of South Australia in 2001, the provenance records are largely unknown and vague.

Case Status: Unresolved
Year Claim Initiated: 2018
Year Claim Resolved:
Means of Resolution:

Complainant Name: Indian Government
Complainant Nation: India
Complainant Nation Economy: Developing
Complainant Type: Public: Government

Respondent Name: Art Gallery of South Australia
Respondent Nation: Australia
Respondent Nation Economy: Developed
Respondent Type: Public: Institution

Reference Links:

Files:

Editor's Notes:
(Status: Ready for review) Edited by Keli Fisher