The Historic Restitution of Two Significant works of Indian Art in London
- In History & Culture
- 06:43 PM, Aug 20, 2019
- Vijay Kumar
A Historic Restitution happened on the special occasion of India’s 73rd Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony in London – the Metropolitan Police assisted in the recovery/ restitution of two significant works of Indian Art. Closely following last year’s restitution of the Nalanda Buddha on Aug 15th, this year too saw significant restitution.
The Two artifacts were returned voluntarily by an entity in London whose name has been withheld but closely follows Operation Hidden Idol as per the statement from Homeland Security
However, considering the timing of the returns immediately following the Homeland security case filing against known Associates of Subhash Kapoor in New York, it is not difficult to understand why this happened.
The case filing a few weeks ago indicting Kapoor and his associates for the first time named his known associates in India and also the intermediaries in this dangerous illicit antiquities business – hitherto operating in the shadows the complaint for the first time showed us how professional restorers were going against all ethics to materially alter artifacts and prepare them for sale.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/subhash-kapoor
We also have several examples of another restorer in America who helped clean, repair stone objects. This set the cat amongst the pigeons as so far despite almost 8 years since Kapoor’s arrest, there was no action outside of the US and India, and the transnational buyers had thought that they had gotten away and chose to stay quiet instead of coming forward.
We do hope the law enforcement investigates the modus operandi of the illicit removal from India. We shall explain why as below
Artifact: NAVANEETHA KRISHNA
MATERIAL: BRONZE
STYLISTIC AFFILIATION: 17TH CCE Nayaka Dynasty, TAMIL NADU, INDIA
Though preliminary checks have not resulted in any matches to known cases of reported thefts, the bronze is clearly been in active worship till recently and in the absence of provenance paperwork and proof of legit export out of India is reason enough for confiscating the same. However, further investigations must be done to find the looting spot and expose the Indian robber networks and the smugglers who provided logistical support for the same.
ARTIFACT: CARVED PILLAR
MATERIAL: LIME STONE
STYLISTIC AFFILIATION: 2nd CBCE to 2nd CCE, VADDAMANU, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
Andhra Pradesh’s relatively unknown Buddhist sites seem to have targeted by thieves and smugglers – we have already seen the case of the Chandavaram:” Worshippers of Buddha frieze” that was successfully restitution from the National Gallery of Australia in 2017. We have seen other similar limestones pillars being on sale via Wierner Galleries (at least one which is a direct match from a theft FIR from Chandavaram in 2002).
The subject limestone pillar - stone is typically used in the construction of sites in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, i.e. Amaravati, Phanigiri, Kanaganahalli and Vaddamanu, respectively. It is certain that this pillar of a railing, most likely of a stupa, does not hail from Amaravati or Kanaganahalli, as the railings of both sites are different in style. Phanigiri is still being excavated and new finds may have not been published. The likely candidate is Vadamannu excavated in 1980.
As sites with railings but no preserved upper portion is that of the Chandavaram stupa for example. So, we need to rely on similar pillars and the closest we could find are these from Vaddamanu.
Comparison with ASI excavation reports of pillars from Vaddamanu
Comparison with exhibits from the Birla Science Museum in Hyderabad which did the early excavations.
Basing on above, our assessment is that this is an authentic limestone railing pillar from Andhra Pradesh and most likely from Vaddamanu or nearby excavations. We have also seen Robber photos of Idol thief mastermind code names SHANTOO (as revealed by the Homeland Security case filing – as Mr. Ranjit Kanwar of Delhi) with site photos of a stupa with similar pillars lined up on the ground.
The Archaeological Survey of India and State Archaeology Department may be asked to audit their inventory and the Birla Science Museum in Hyderabad which has a significant amount of material collected from the Vaddamanu excavations. Alternatively, local police maybe warned to look for possible signs of illegal digging in the region for a hitherto unreported site that is being pillaged.
We thank our volunteers and expert panel who helped us with the identifications and professional expertise Pro Bono and wish to stay anonymous for the cause #BringOurGodsHome.
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