In a significant victory for India's cultural heritage, New York authorities have returned hundreds of priceless antiquities valued at $14 million to their rightful owners. The move, announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr on Tuesday, is the latest in a long line of efforts to reclaim stolen or looted artifacts from the city's collections. The returned items, numbering 657, include pieces linked to the notorious art smuggler Subhash Kapoor, who has been at the center of several high-profile cases in recent years. The return comes as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked controversy by wading into the sensitive issue of the Koh-i-noor diamond, a 105.6-carat gemstone that has been at the center of a long-standing dispute between the UK and India. The move is expected to put pressure on other institutions and collectors to follow suit, potentially leading to a significant shift in the global art market's approach to cultural heritage.
Move comes after mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke on return of the Koh-i-noor diamond after UK royals’ visit to New YorkHundreds of antiquities valued at $14m have been returned to India by New York authorities, including some connected to the alleged art smuggler Subhash Kapoor, in a move that is likely to raise the pressure on others to make similar gestures.The return of 657 antiquities was announced by the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg Jr, on Tuesday, and came as New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, waded into the historically contentious ownership of the 105.6 carat Koh-i-noor diamond. Continue reading...
