Illicit Antiquities in American Museums: Diversity in Ethical Standards

Abstract

This chapter evaluates the different ethical standards of certain North American museums, based on their approaches, responses and actions when confronted with evidence on the illicit collecting history of antiquities they own. Beginning with the post-1970 museum acquisition of illicit antiquities from an international trafficking network through the key figures of Medici and Symes, the chapter analyses the cases of two museums—Ackland Art Museum and Speed Art Museum—not previously identified as recipients of illicit antiquities. The reactions of these two museums to the evidence offered are compared with the reaction of a museum (the Metropolitan Museum of Art) which previously returned illicit objects to their countries of origin. The chapter concludes by noting the guidelines of the Association of Art Museum Directors.

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