The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has returned 41 ancient polychrome terracotta relief fragments to Türkiye after an investigation led by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office determined that the items were looted or stolen.
“The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts takes seriously and responds to all restitution claims for works in our collection,” said VMFA’s Director and CEO Alex Nyerges. “Based on the evidence shown to VMFA, we are convinced that we do not have clear title for these reliefs. We are therefore happy to be working with the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to return all of the polychrome terracotta fragments in question to Türkiye.”
The museum received a restitution claim on November 3, 2025, concerning the group of artifacts. The objects, valued at approximately $400,000, originated from a 6th century B.C. Phrygian temple at Düver in southwestern Türkiye, which was subject to illegal excavation between 1962 and 1968. These finds were exported and sold without authorization.
VMFA acquired most of these reliefs in 1978 from Summa Galleries in Beverly Hills, California, while additional pieces came as gifts from Chicago-based dealer Harlan J. Berk and another gift from Summa Galleries in 1979.
Museum staff provided full documentation related to these acquisitions during the investigation. On November 17, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos presented evidence confirming that the artifacts had been stolen or looted and should be returned.
“The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is committed to returning any antiquities that are discovered to be unlawfully held,” said Dr. Lisa Brody, VMFA’s Jack and Mary Ann Frable Curator of Ancient Art. “When, as in this case, there is indisputable evidence that objects were obtained through illicit excavation and illegal export, we consider it essential to return these works to their country of origin.”
“Stolen or looted art has no place in our collection,” added Artistic Director and Chief Curator Dr. Michael Taylor. “We are therefore delighted to return these works and thank Colonel Bogdanos and his team of investigators for alerting VMFA to the presence of these illegally excavated works in our ancient art holdings.” Colonel Bogdanos commended VMFA for its cooperation.
The museum follows standards set by professional organizations such as the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the American Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) regarding provenance research for archaeological materials. In recent years, VMFA has repatriated other works: in 2023 it returned 44 pieces to Italy, Egypt, and Türkiye; it also complies with federal law regarding Native American cultural items (NAGPRA), having repatriated seven objects since updates took effect in 2024; four Nazi-era art claims have also been resolved since 2004.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is located in Richmond, Virginia. It opened in 1936 as a state agency and privately endowed institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting art spanning more than six millennia from around the world. Its permanent collection includes over 50,000 artworks with notable holdings such as Fabergé pieces outside Russia and significant collections of Art Nouveau and American art.
The museum plans a major expansion—the McGlothlin Wing II—scheduled for spring 2029 which will make it one of the largest comprehensive art museums nationally.
VMFA remains open every day throughout the year with free general admission.
