Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Seized: 260kg Bell and $6M Statue Recovered
Customs authorities have seized a significant number of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a 260kg church bell, in a major blow to cultural property smuggling in the American art market. Prosecutor Kelly O. Hayes hailed the seizure as a 'milestone' in the fight against such crimes.
The bell, dating back over 4,000 years to the Old Kingdom period of Egypt, was being transported from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Moldova at the request of Patriarchs Kirill and Nikolai. However, customs officers suspected the bell might have been stolen in Ukraine and seized it. The bell was hidden under bags in a Mercedes Sprinter.
The Maryland prosecutor's office has confiscated a total of 14 ancient Egyptian artworks, including the smuggled statue. One of these artifacts is a limestone funerary statue worth around $6 million. Smugglers attempted to fool customs by declaring the artifacts as 'household accessories', 'garden stone statues', or simply 'decor'. Lithuanian customs also played a role in the seizure, stopping a church bell at the border with Belarus that was intended to be brought to Moldova, originally coming from Georgia.
The seized artifacts, over 4,000 years old, are now in the custody of the Maryland prosecutor's office. The investigation into this smuggling operation continues, with authorities committed to preventing further illicit trafficking of cultural property.
