A ring-shaped vessel of the Late Bronze Age of Cypriot origin was repatriated from Paris on November 1, according to the Department of Antiquities.
The antiquity was located by the Department of Antiquities as it was ready to be sold at an online auction on February 23, 2024. The French authorities were immediately informed and intervene. The owner of the object accepted to voluntarily return the antiquities to the Republic of Cyprus, the Department says in a press release.
The vessel was handed over by the French authorities to the Embassy of Cyprus in Paris on 5 July 2024.
The Department of Antiquities warmly thanks Interpol Cyprus and France for the excellent cooperation and the Cyprus Embassy for their valuable contribution to the repatriation of the antiquities.
The Department notes that it has “intensified efforts to combat the phenomenon of illegal trafficking of Cypriot antiquities with daily checks on online media and auction houses.”
At the same time, the department “continues all efforts to protect the cultural heritage of Cyprus and other countries, in close cooperation with the National Committee for Combating of Looting and Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Heritage.”
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Source: CNA/KCH/EPH
