“Statue of a Man” (200–100 BCE or later), Ptolemaic dynasty, black basalt, 22 13/16 inches tall (image courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art)The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) will transfer ownership of a 2,200-year-old Ptolemaic statue to Libya, as announced today, May 29, in a press release issued jointly with Libya’s Department of Antiquities. The museum attributed the decision to “new information” from the Department of Antiquities and its own research. The announcement comes on the heels of a pending lawsuit over a $20 million ancient sculpture at the CMA. Months later, the CMA sued the Manhattan DA’s Office, a rare occurrence in museum repatriation claims. “Statue of a Man” will remain on view at the CMA for “several years,” although a specific timeline has yet to be established.

Source: Libya Today May 29, 2024 21:24 UTC