[text of a letter in the NYT]:
In “How Did That Vase Wind Up in the Metropolitan?” (Op-Ed, Dec. 1), Sharon
Waxman makes some just, though familiar, observations about the antiquities
market. I would add these points:
First, it takes some nerve for certain Mediterranean countries to claim that
all antiquities found in their territories belong to them.
For example, when Euphronios painted his vases, he did so in Greece, and
Italy did not even exist (or, rather, it was the name of a small territory
in Calabria).
Some Etruscan or other probably paid for this particular object. Many Greek
antiquities ended up in Italy because the Romans stole them.
Second, far more viewers (of many nationalities) see things in the Met than
would ever see them in Sardis.
I know this is a banal argument, but it has some force. The centers of
culture have multiplied a bit in the last two millenniums.
Third, there is an enormous traffic of antiquities going into private hands.
That is where the archaeological material criminally looted from Iraq is all
going.
Strong-willed governments, if they were really interested in this matter,
would close down certain notorious dealers, starting in Geneva and London —
and on Madison Avenue. No significant antiquities should be in private
hands.
W. V. Harris
New York, Dec. 1, 2008
xxxxx
Original here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/opinion/lweb09vase.html?ref=opinion
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