Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office has removed dozens of ancient artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in June, according to records cited by the New York Times. The latest action brings the total number of objects taken from the museum since 2017 to more than 120, with a combined estimated value above $95 million.
The seizures are part of a wider investigation into international antiquities trafficking networks that expanded after World War II. As investigators traced the movement of disputed works, they requested museum records tied to dealers believed to have connections with illicit trade.
Among the names linked to the recent review is Robert Hecht, a dealer associated with the sale of the Euphronios krater, a celebrated Greek vase that the Met later returned to Italy in 2008. The objects removed in June are believed to have originated in Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and other regions, and include a Roman marble head, a bronze statuette, and an Egyptian gold diadem.
The Met said the process reflects cooperation between the museum and the District Attorney's office. According to the museum, officials shared evidence suggesting some items may have been looted, after which the institution carried out its own provenance research before returning the works.
Lucian Simmons, who leads the Met's provenance team, said the museum does not want stolen art in its collection and described the partnership as important for accessing information that is otherwise difficult to obtain. The museum also noted that tracing an object's modern ownership history and original country of origin can be complex and time-consuming.
This evolving approach to provenance research may help set a stronger standard for cultural stewardship and shape how major museums handle heritage collections in the years ahead.