Year of Object(s) Creation: 150 C.E. (approximate)
Estimated Value ($USD):
Object Type(s): Sculpture
Object Material(s): limestone, stone
Provenience Nation: Afghanistan
Provenience Location: Surkh Kotal
Year Removed from Findspot: 1950 (approximate)

Provenance
Start Year: 2020
End Year: 2020
Circumstance of Acquisition: Returned to the National Museum of Afghanistan
Nation: Afghanistan
Location: Kabul
Start Year: 2020 (approximate)
End Year: 2020 (approximate)
Circumstance of Acquisition: Withdrawn by the Art Loss Register from Timeline Auctions (Harwich-based online auction house), then seized by the Art and Antiques Unit of the Metropolitan Police service
Nation: United Kingdom
Location: British Museum, London
Start Year: 1993 (approximate)
End Year: 2020 (approximate)
Circumstance of Acquisition: Allegedly looted from the National Museum of Afghanistan during the Afghan civil war
Nation:
Location:
Start Year: 1950 (approximate)
End Year: 1992
Circumstance of Acquisition: Excavated by a French archaeological expedition and then entered the collection of the National Museum of Afghanistan
Nation: Afghanistan
Location: Kabul

Afghan Limestone Sculpture Of A Bull From Ceremonial Frieze


Description:
This ancient limestone temple sculpture formed part of a ceremonial frieze that was comprised of other blocks showing human figures and bulls. All of the pieces, numbering more than a dozen, were allegedly looted during the Afghan civil war, and this sculpture is the first antiquity from the Surkh Kotal temple to be recovered. The British Museum helped in recovering and returning the sculpture.

Case Status: Object(s) relinquished
Year Claim Initiated:
Year Claim Resolved: 2020
Means of Resolution: Coordinated action by Complainant & Respondent Governments

Complainant Name: Afghanistan Government
Complainant Nation: Afghanistan
Complainant Nation Economy: Developing
Complainant Type: Public: Government

Respondent Name: British Museum
Respondent Nation: United Kingdom
Respondent Nation Economy: Developed
Respondent Type: Public: Institution

Reference Links:

Files:

Editor's Notes:
Clarification Notes: . This work dates to approximately the 2nd century. Edited by Keli Fisher