In a significant gesture, the United States handed over four stolen Nepali artefacts to Nepal, marking a historic moment in the recovery of cultural treasures.
The Consulate General of Nepal in New York, represented by Acting Consul General Bishnu Gautam, received these sculptures, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. and senior officials of the District Attorney’s Office.
The retrieved artefacts include two gilded Bhairav masks (Mukhundo), along with sculptures depicting Shiva and Parvati (Uma-Maheshwara) and Durga. Three of these pieces were recovered amidst ongoing investigations targeting trafficking networks that specifically targeted Nepali antiquities.
One artefact was seized in connection with investigations related to Subhash Kapoor, allegedly involved in smuggling items from various countries, including Nepal. Kapoor, known for allegedly looting and trafficking antiquities, operated through his gallery, Art of the Past, based on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.
The District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations, pursued Kapoor and his associates for over a decade, recovering more than 2,500 allegedly trafficked items with a collective value exceeding $143 million.
During the handover ceremony, Acting Consul General Gautam conveyed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of Nepal to District Attorney Bragg, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations-New York team, and other officials for their collaborative efforts in repatriating these significant sculptures.
He also extended gratitude to museums, investigators, media, heritage campaigners, researchers, and all involved parties for their dedicated contributions toward this monumental repatriation process. This restitution marks a pivotal step in preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage and underscores the importance of global cooperation in safeguarding cultural treasures.
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