An antique vase believed to be from the 5th century BC. e. was at the center of allegations of forgery following its return from the UK to Greece.
Archaeologists have expressed concern about the authenticity of an antique vase that was recently returned to Greece from England. A vase believed to be from the early 5th century BC. for example, it features a modern forgery, namely a drawing depicting a satyr and a goat, writes the Guardian.
Christos Tsiroyannis, an archaeologist from Cambridge, said he was surprised that the Greek Ministry of Culture included a vase known as an “olpa” in the list of treasures returned to Greece. Tsiroyiannis stated that a study needs to be done since the forgery was discovered by a leading expert in 1998.
The technique of using real but common materials to create valuable counterfeits is often used by counterfeiters. The quality of the Greek investigation into the case has been called “absolutely embarrassing”.
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The dispute comes days after Greece announced it had returned a large number of antiquities from a British trader named Robin Simes, who had been in trouble with the law in the past. The Greek Ministry of Culture claimed that it was systematically working on a collection of sculptures and plates.
Tsiroyannis, however, questioned the completeness of his research, especially considering that Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, is an archaeologist herself.
The olpa in question was listed by the Greek Ministry as “Antique Red Figured Olpa” from the early 5th century BC. But in 1998, one of the leading scientists, Dietrich von Bothmer, published the results of research in which he declared the decoration on the olpe “a modern fraud.”
Von Bothmer focused on the forgery of Greek vases in his research, emphasizing that the addition of opaque flowers on a black background was implemented several years before his article was published. He also claimed that satyr and goat were dyed to give the authentic black glazed olpa an antique look.
Tsiroyannis expressed disappointment that the ministry did not appear to be aware of Bothmer’s findings. Tsiroyiannis has been investigating the illegal antiques trade for over 17 years, helping to identify looted items and facilitate their repatriation.
Although only a small sample of repatriated artifacts was provided in a recent statement, Tsiroyannis cited concerns about other items that could be returned. A spokesperson for the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports said that after the ancient artifacts are returned to Greek museums, further research and laboratory analyzes will be carried out.
Previously Focus He talked about an incredible journey home: a man returned 30 stolen antiques to Italy.
We’ve also written about the battle for medieval artifacts: heirs fighting for the return of the $250 million collection.
Source: Focus
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