According to Justice Department officials in New York, a major US art collector and wealthy philanthropist has returned 180 works of art and antiquities stolen from throughout the world, including Pakistan and Lebanon, including some from ancient Greece valued at $70 million.
The move, announced by Manhattan attorney general Cyrus Vance’s office, permits Michael Steinhardt, who is 80 years old, to avoid indictment and trial for the time being, but forbids him from buying antiques on the legal art market for the rest of his life.
A Greek drinking jug in the shape of a deer’s head dating from 400 BC and valued at $3.5 million, as well as an ancient Greek larnax (a type of burial box) dated from 1200 to 1400 BC and worth a million dollars, are among the works of art.
The decision, released by Manhattan Attorney General Cyrus Vance’s office, permits Michael Steinhardt, 80, to avoid indictment and trial for the time being, but bars him from acquiring antiques on the legitimate art market for the rest of his life.
