28 Antiquities Are Returning to Türkiye from the U.S., Including Boubon’s Lost Bronze Emperor

Twenty-eight looted antiquities are being repatriated from the United States to Türkiye, led by the long-missing bronze statue of a Roman emperor from the ancient city of Boubon. The group also includes a marble head of Demosthenes and several terracotta tablets from Düver—objects that disappeared decades ago before resurfacing in American collections.

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the recovery after a coordinated international effort that brought together provenance researchers, U.S. federal prosecutors, and Homeland Security agents. The investigation not only traced the artifacts’ illicit movement but also forced the return of pieces long considered unrecoverable.

A Bronze Emperor Forced Out of Hiding

The most prominent artifact in the group is the bronze imperial statue originally erected in Boubon, a site in southwestern Türkiye renowned for its sanctuary dedicated to the Roman emperors. The sculpture was smuggled out of the country in the twentieth century and eventually found its way into the private collection of American collector Aaron Mendelsohn.

U.S. investigators determined that the collector had purchased the statue illegally. When he refused to surrender it voluntarily, a court issued an arrest warrant—an action that ultimately compelled him to hand over the piece. Officials describe this case as a decisive demonstration of how legal enforcement can reshape the global antiquities market.

A Marble Demosthenes and Düver Terracottas Also Recovered

The repatriation package includes a diverse set of artifacts handed over during two separate ceremonies attended by Turkish Deputy Minister Gökhan Yazgı. Among them is a Roman-period marble head of the Athenian orator Demosthenes, as well as Archaic-period terracotta plaques from Düver that had circulated for years on the international art market.

Turkish authorities note that the recovery of these objects reflects a broader campaign that has brought home more than 9,000 cultural assets in the past seven years.

A Byzantine Capital Identified as Looted from Istanbul

Investigators also confirmed the return of a marble column capital depicting the Archangel Michael, previously held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Detailed research established that the carving had been removed illegally from the Peribleptos Monastery in Istanbul’s Samatya district. Once the origin was verified, the museum proceeded with the handover.

Cross-Border Enforcement That Is Reshaping Heritage Protection

The entire operation was conducted in close cooperation with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. These agencies have played a central role in several recent repatriations to Türkiye, and officials emphasize that the Boubon case stands out for its legal complexity and the precedents it sets for future returns.

In public statements, Turkish authorities reiterated that they will continue tracking cultural assets wherever they surface, and that each successful recovery reinforces the international framework for protecting cultural heritage.