A Cypriot antiquity has been officially returned to Cyprus after it was identified as being offered for sale in an online auction and subsequently withdrawn following intervention by authorities.
According to the Department of Antiquities, the artefact was spotted on 6 April by officials monitoring the illegal online trade of Cypriot antiquities. After contact with the auction house, the item was removed from sale.
The object was later handed over on 23 June to the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the United Kingdom for repatriation.
Description of the artefact
The item is a ceramic juglet with a ring-shaped base, dated to the Late Cypriot I/II period, approximately 1450 BC.
The Department of Antiquities confirmed the identification and classification of the artefact following expert examination.
Cooperation praised
Authorities expressed gratitude to Halls Fine Art Auctioneers and the owner of the artefact for voluntarily returning it to its country of origin.
Thanks were also extended to the Cultural Section of the Cypriot High Commission in London for coordinating the repatriation process.
The case forms part of ongoing efforts by Cyprus authorities to combat the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage items and ensure the return of stolen or exported antiquities.
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