Despite years of confiscations, the Met still holds hundreds of pieces linked to alleged trafficking and looting figures

Despite years of confiscations, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York continues to hold hundreds of artworks linked to individuals accused of trafficking and looting cultural treasures. A new analysis by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism reveals that even after authorities seized over $95 million worth of antiquities from the museum in recent years, the institution still retains numerous items connected to alleged criminals in the global art trade. The confiscated works primarily originated from a select group of collectors known to be associated with smuggling networks that targeted historical sites ranging from Rome to rural Cambodia. Previous investigations by the ICIJ uncovered more than a thousand pieces in the Met's collection tied to individuals who faced indictment or conviction for antiquities-related offenses. Among them were Subhash Kapoor, described by U.S. authorities as one of the world’s leading commodity smugglers, and Robert E. Hecht, who was charged by Italian authorities with trafficking. The latest findings indicate that the Met still possesses hundreds of objects previously owned by the same individuals responsible for many of the recently seized items. This includes Hecht, Kapoor, and others implicated in illicit activities. Kapoor was arrested in Germany in 2011 and later convicted in India for trafficking crimes. Hecht denied involvement in the illegal export of art and passed away in 2012. In response to inquiries from the ICIJ, the Met stated it has initiated and accelerated research into several hundred works associated with specific dealers as part of a wider examination of its collection. The museum emphasized its object-by-object approach to the investigation and highlighted two pieces linked to Hecht that possess thorough documentation of their origins. Lucian Simmons, the museum’s head of provenance research, confirmed in an email that the Met does not wish to have any stolen artwork within its walls. He noted that the institution has invested considerable resources into researching the provenance of its holdings and has shared these findings globally. These efforts have led to the return of objects to various nations. The Met, which houses over 1.5 million objects, is the largest museum in North America. Its annual Met Gala attracts high-profile guests such as billionaires and celebrities. For much of its history, the museum adopted a relatively lenient attitude towards the origins of its acquisitions, according to prior reports by the ICIJ. In March 2023, the ICIJ and Finance Uncovered disclosed that the Met held more than 1,100 pieces previously owned by collectors who had been either indicted or convicted of antiquities crimes. The analysis found that less than half of these items had detailed records explaining how they left their countries of origin, particularly from regions with stringent export regulations. Following the publication of that report, the Met announced the formation of a dedicated team of investigators to collaborate with curators, conservators, and other researchers to enhance the examination of its collection. This marks the largest such team at any museum. However, the New York Times reported in June that government investigators have expressed frustration with the progress made in reviewing the museum’s collection. Advocacy groups argue that the Met, as a leader in the field, could adopt a more proactive stance regarding artifacts connected to trafficking. Tess Davis, executive director of the Antiquities Coalition, remarked that the museum seems to be awaiting legal action from U.S. prosecutors or foreign governments with conclusive evidence. She suggested that the focus should be on whether these objects should remain in one of the world’s premier museums rather than solely on meeting the highest legal standard.