The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the repatriation of three ancient Mesopotamian artefacts to the Republic of Iraq, marking a significant development in the museum’s evolving commitment to ethical stewardship and international collaboration. This return follows the launch of The Met’s Cultural Property Initiative, a wide-ranging review of the museum’s collection with a focus on provenance research and transparency.
The three objects—a Sumerian gypsum alabaster vessel supported by twin rams (ca. 2600–2500 BCE), and two Babylonian ceramic heads (a male and a female, ca. 2000–1600 BCE)—span from the third to the second millennium BCE. Together, they represent vital pieces of Iraq’s ancient cultural legacy.
This repatriation builds on the 2024 return of another third-millennium BCE Sumerian sculpture, also confirmed to belong to Iraq after extensive provenance research by Met scholars.
Investigative Collaboration and Cultural Accountability
The artefacts were returned following collaboration with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which has investigated illicit antiquities trafficking involving now-deceased London dealer Robin Symes. Both the male head and the vessel were at one point sold by Symes. The female head, while not explicitly tied to any one dealer, was donated to the Met by the Norbert Schimmel Trust in 1989. The male head was purchased in 1972.
While the male and female sculptures are believed to have originated from Isin, an important archaeological site in Iraq, the alabaster vessel’s precise origin is unclear. However, it was previously part of the Baghdad art market and passed through multiple hands, including Swiss dealer Nicolas Koutoulakis and Cecile de Rothschild, before entering the Met’s collection.
“The Met is committed to the responsible collecting of art and the shared stewardship of the world’s cultural heritage,” said Max Hollein, Director and CEO of the Met. “We are grateful for our ongoing discussions with Iraq and look forward to future collaborative efforts that will enhance appreciation of Iraqi art and culture.”
The Cultural Property Initiative
Launched in spring 2023, the Cultural Property Initiative introduced major reforms to the museum’s approach to acquisitions. Key components include:
A comprehensive review of collection provenance
The appointment of Lucian Simmons as Head of Provenance
The expansion of the provenance research team from six to eleven analysts
Ongoing public discourse and international dialogue on cultural heritage ethics
The Met has taken proactive steps to identify and rectify past missteps. This includes updating over 50 labels for artworks that changed ownership during the Nazi era (1933–1945) under involuntary conditions, in accordance with a New York State law passed in 2022.
A Broader Repatriation and Partnership Framework
Beyond Iraq, The Met has recently repatriated and collaborated with several other nations:
Greece: Returned a 7th-century BCE Bronze Head of a Griffin; to be exhibited at The Met in 2026 as part of a 50-year partnership with the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Greek Government.
Yemen: Returned two stone sculptures and entered a custodial agreement to house 14 additional artefacts from the Hague family collection, to be returned at Yemen’s request.
India: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024 with the Ministry of Culture to foster cooperation in exhibitions and education.
Thailand, Nigeria, South Korea, and Italy: Ongoing collaborations and cultural exchanges as part of The Met’s global engagement.
The Met has also created a dedicated webpage for all restituted artefacts, ensuring transparency regarding returned items and their respective countries of origin.
