Posted on June 16, 2022
A triangle was needed between investigators from three countries, namely Spain, Italy and the USA. But it was worth it.
Because a small Roman altar was found, stolen in 1962 from the Archaeological Museum of Tarragona and then ended up in the hands of a private individual in the United States.
Today it has been returned to its original place of custody.
A happy ending that arrived seven years after the report that had started the investigations by the carabinieri.
It was precisely the Arma that recognized the presence of the altar, of white marble and 12 centimeters high, in the catalog of works sold by an American auction house.
Thanks to subsequent investigations by the Spanish National Police and the US agency Ice, it came to light that the artifact had first been incorporated into a British collection, then sold by a UK auction house to one of the US. Finally, the piece was sold to a private citizen, who decided to return it voluntarily, an official note explains.
The altar was returned to the museum of Tarragona with an official ceremony, which was attended by the consul in Barcelona Alessandra Di Pippo, the sub-delegate of the Spanish government in Tarragona Joan Sabaté Borràs, the director of the Archaeological Museum Mònica Borrell, the head of the Brigade of the Historical Heritage of the Spanish National Police, Montserrat de Pedro Esteban, Lieutenant Colonel Luigi Spadaro and Chief Brigadier Fabio Di Prospero.
This event takes place after Spain returned to Italy a 16th-17th century wooden painting and sculpture stolen from Bologna and Lecce respectively and found in the Iberian country.
Leave a Reply