Smithsonian Returns Looted Bronzes, Demands More

The Smithsonian's restitution of bronzes from Alattur and Veeracholapuram temples marks a significant step in addressing historical injustices. By accepting archival evidence, the museum acknowledged the unlawful removal of these artifacts, setting a clear standard for other institutions.

Archival photographs, taken in the 1950s by the Institut Français de Pondichéry, documented the bronzes in situ within Tamil Nadu temples. This evidence establishes their provenance and continuous belonging to the temples, disproving claims of their disappearance before surfacing on the international art market.

Bronzes like Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, and Standing Vishnu, were acquired by institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the 1960s and 1970s, after their presence in temples was recorded.

Multiple Alattur bronzes passed through dealers like William H. Wolff, indicating a consistent pipeline into American collections. Similarly, the Veeracholapuram bronze figure of Paravai was acquired through a dealer linked to antiquities smuggling networks.

Despite the Smithsonian's return of artifacts, other institutions continue to hold or market bronzes from these shrines. The evidence, including IFP archives and documented dealer pathways, remains consistent, suggesting a reluctance to act rather than uncertainty.

India is now poised to escalate its efforts. The idol wing of Tamil Nadu police will consolidate evidence, and the Ministry of External Affairs will pursue diplomatic demarches. The Ministry of Culture will publicly notify claims and seek voluntary returns before initiating civil recovery proceedings.

The Smithsonian's precedent has lowered the evidentiary threshold for restitution. India aims to press this standard consistently, seeking the identification, acknowledgment, and return of every stolen 'murthi' from these temple clusters, testing the integrity of institutions holding these cultural treasures.