The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) has made a groundbreaking decision to repatriate three cast-bronze sculptures of Hindu gods and their followers to the government of India. These sculptures, dating back multiple centuries, were stolen from Tamil temples and smuggled out of India in the mid-20th century, leaving behind a trail of murky provenance records before coming into the possession of the Smithsonian.
One of the sculptures, known as “Shiva Nataraja” from the Chola dynasty circa 990 CE, will remain at the NMAA for an ongoing exhibition on a long-term loan agreement. This decision has raised questions about the Indian government’s capacity to make decisions regarding the religious property of the temple of origin. The acquisition of this particular sculpture in 2002 from the Doris Wiener Gallery, known for dealing in Asian antiquities, shed light on its questionable provenance.
The Wiener Gallery’s association with disgraced antiquities dealer Subhash Kapoor, who smuggled thousands of artifacts out of India and other countries, further complicates the matter. After Doris Wiener’s death, her daughter Nancy Wiener was accused of trafficking looted antiquities, including some procured by Kapoor, leading to her guilty plea in 2021. The NMAA’s publication of provenance records for “Shiva Nataraja” revealed discrepancies in the timeline of its acquisition.
India Pride Project, a volunteer-run initiative for repatriating looted artifacts, played a crucial role in uncovering the true origins of the sculptures. Co-founders Vijay Kumar and Anuraag Saxena scrutinized the provenance records and found evidence linking the bronzes to specific temples in Tamil Nadu. According to Kumar, bronzes like these are considered the property of the temple and are revered as living gods, making their return to their rightful place imperative.
The decision to repatriate the “Somaskanda” and “Saint Sundurar with Paravai” bronzes, gifted to the Smithsonian by Arthur M. Sackler in 1987, signifies a significant step towards rectifying historical wrongs. These bronzes, depicting important figures in Hindu iconography, were unlawfully lifted from temples in Tamil Nadu and trafficked illegally.
The repatriation of these sculptures highlights the importance of ethical acquisition practices in the art world and the need to respect the cultural heritage of nations. As the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC prepares to receive these bronzes for their return to India, it marks a momentous occasion in the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the artistic treasures of the past. The Alattur temple in Tamil Nadu, India, is eagerly anticipating the return of a stolen bronze sculpture known as “Somaskanda.” This valuable artifact, depicting the divine family of Shiva, was taken from the temple and has been the subject of a criminal case. However, efforts are underway to ensure its safe return.
According to Kumar, a spokesperson for the India Pride Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the repatriation of stolen cultural artifacts, progress has been made in recovering stolen bronzes. In the past five years, they have successfully facilitated the return of over 10 sculptures to their rightful temples. One notable example is the recent return of a “Shiva Nataraja” sculpture to the Kailasanathar temple, following a court order.
The process of repatriating stolen artifacts involves legal proceedings to ensure the safe return of these valuable cultural treasures. In the case of the “Somaskanda” bronze, it will need to be brought to the district court, where the court will oversee the process and ensure that it is returned to the Alattur temple.
The theft of cultural artifacts is a widespread issue that affects many countries, including India. Organizations like the India Pride Project play a crucial role in advocating for the return of stolen artifacts and raising awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
As efforts continue to recover stolen artifacts and return them to their rightful places, the Alattur temple and other religious institutions in India are hopeful that their precious treasures will be restored and protected for future generations to appreciate and admire.
