Indian statues ‘seized’ from NY auction house

13/03/2016

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In this photo provided by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an Indian statue believed to be from the 8th and 10th centuries AD that authorities say was stolen and smuggled out of India is shown. (AP)

NEW YORK, March 12, (AP): Two Indian statues that are more than 1,000 years old were seized Friday from Christie’s auction house after investigators discovered they had been smuggled out of the country, eventually landing in New York.

The antiquities were to be part of an auction next week called “The Lahiri Collection: Indian and Himalayan Art, Ancient and Modern.” Both are made from sandstone. One statue called “Stele of Rishabhanata” depicts a cross-legged teacher flanked by standing attendants. It is valued at about $150,000 and dates from the 10th century. The second is a rare representation of an equestrian deity, Revanta, worth $300,000 from the 8th century.

This news has been read 6912 times!

13/03/2016