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Ashmolean Returns 16th Century Idol to India
4 Mar
Summary
- Ashmolean Museum returned a 16th-century bronze idol to India.
- The idol belongs to the Shri Soundararaja Perumal temple.
- Five other ancient Indian artefacts were also repatriated.
In a significant cultural repatriation, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has returned a 16th-century bronze idol of saint Thirumankai Alvar to India. The sacred icon, originally from the Shri Soundararaja Perumal temple in Tamil Nadu, was acquired by the museum at a 1967 auction. Its origins in India were confirmed in November 2019 by an independent researcher.
The museum engaged with the High Commission of India in London to verify the idol's provenance, culminating in a formal handover ceremony at India House. Museum director Dr. Xa Sturgis highlighted the evidence that the bronze could not have legitimately left India. The Ashmolean acted in good faith but chose to discuss return possibilities upon learning of its origins.
