The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has returned an ancient bronze griffin head to Greece, nearly a century after it was stolen. According to AP and an article by Thanassis Stavrakis and Derek Gatopoulos in ekathimerini.com the artifact, dating back to the 7th century BC, has been sent back to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, marking another significant step in the global movement to repatriate important cultural treasures.
Originally displayed in Olympia—the ancient birthplace of the Olympic Games—the griffin head was formally returned in a ceremony attended by Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Speaking at the event, Mendoni emphasized the artifact’s rightful homecoming.
“After decades away, the griffin has now returned from the Metropolitan Museum in New York to its rightful place,” she stated, commending the collaborative efforts between the Greek Culture Ministry and the Met in tracing its provenance. The ceremony coincided with the visit of International Olympic Committee members to Greece for the election of their new president, Kirsty Coventry—the first African and first woman to lead the global organization.
Griffins, mythical creatures with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, symbolized strength and divine protection in ancient Greek culture. The newly repatriated bronze head will now be exhibited alongside a similar griffin head already housed at the Olympia museum.
The Met has recently intensified its efforts to investigate the origins of its collection, hiring additional specialists to review the provenance of artifacts.
“We deeply value our long-standing partnership with the Greek government and look forward to continued collaboration and cultural exchange,” said Max Hollein, the Met’s museum director, in a statement.
In recent years, museums and cultural institutions worldwide have increasingly recognized the importance of returning significant artifacts to their countries of origin while maintaining global access to cultural heritage. As part of this new approach, Greece has agreed to loan the griffin head back to the Met for future exhibitions, according to Mendoni.
This shift in policy aligns with Greece’s ongoing campaign for the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptures, which were removed from the Acropolis in Athens during the 19th century and are currently housed in the British Museum. The Greek government argues that their removal was unlawful and continues to push for their return, though progress in negotiations remains slow.
Source: AP, ekathimerini.com
