The #antiquities trade has been accused of incentivizing #theft & #looting, especially in unstable parts of the world, and an ecosystem of private collectors, dealers, auction houses and museums has sprung up to handle items of dubious origin. A number of recent U.S. and Europe-based cases have centered on #falsified paperwork.
"The decision to return some 478 objects followed recommendations by a government-appointed commission last year looking into illegal Dutch colonial acquisitions now being displayed in museums in the #Netherlands." #Restitution#ColonialTheft#TootSEA