INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEALERS IN ANCIENT ART
Bureau for Cultural Property Issues and Media Contacts
Dr. Ursula Kampmann, Pestalozzistr. 35, 79540 Lörrach, Germany, Tel: +49 / 7621/47734, Fax: +49 / 7621/47737
Email: press@iadaa.org
IADAA member Rupert Wace Ancient Art returns a Bronze Age sword stolen half a
century ago to the University of Groningen
In the early 1960s, a former employee of the University of Groningen stole and subsequently
sold several items from the museum collection. Among them was a rare sword – a weapon
that had been buried in the Hungarian hoard of Hajdubószórmeny during the late Bronze Age
(1550-1200 BC). On discovery in the late 19th century the hoard originally went to the
National Historical Museum in Budapest and it was around 1920 that the University of
Groningen acquired two of the swords. Now, practically half a century later in 2012,
publication of the sword has made it possible to return the item to its former owner.
In May 2012, the London gallery Rupert Wace Ancient Art acquired the sword in an auction
of the estate of François Bigot, a French prehistory expert. Prior to the purchase, Rupert Wace
Ancient Art had already taken all necessary measures to comply with their due diligence
obligation, which, for an IADAA member, means routine inquiry to the Art Loss Register.
The sword had not been reported as stolen.
It was only during subsequent research on the newly purchased item that the true history of
the sword came to light: in the 60s, an employee of the University of Groningen had stolen
and sold the item with the inventory number of 1920-V-62. The police did a great job at the
time and were soon able to produce a list of items suspected to have come from the theft. Jan
Nanning Lanting, director of the Biological-Archaeological Institute, compared this list with
the stolen items but did not make the connection between the sword entered at no. 44 on the
police list with the one that was missing – an oversight very likely owing to the inadequate
and insufficient inventory system (the museum collection consists of some 10,000 items).
This is why the sword didn't appear in any index of stolen items.
A brief consultation with a lawyer confirmed that, Rupert Wace Ancient Art had, from a legal
standpoint, acquired every right to the item. Nonetheless, they decided that the University of
Groningen retained an important moral right to the sword, and so, arrangements were made
for its return.
Prof. Dr. Daan Remaekers from the Institute of Pre-and Early History at the University of
Groningen is very pleased to have the sword back where it belongs. Asked about its return, he
had this to say: “The Groningen Institute of Archaeology of the University of Groningen
holds an archaeological collection of several thousand artefacts collected in the first 50 years
of the 20th century. These finds were excavated, exchanged or bought and derive from many
European countries. Unfortunately the collection was plundered in the 1960s and several finds
ended up in international antique markets. When Peter Northover was able to trace one of the
items, I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks to the people of Rupert Wace Ancient Art the item
was not only related to our collection, but action was undertaken to realize its return. The
institute is very pleased that the Hungarian sword, certainly an eye catcher in our collection,
will return to Groningen!”
Rupert Wace Ancient Art is a member of IADAA, the International Association of Dealers in
Ancient Art. The IADAA is committed to responsible dealings in works of ancient art. As
part of the standard procedures each IADAA dealer is required to undertake a thorough
inquiry into the history of every object considered for purchase and subsequent sale. At
present, the IADAA has 32 members from eight countries. Membership is highly sought after,
but difficult to achieve; applications are rigorously vetted.
More information on due diligence guidelines for members can be found on the IADAA
website at http://iadaa.org/en/iadaa-guidelines-due-diligence-when-purchasing-ancientobjects.
If you require any additional information, please consult the IADAA website at
http://iadaa.org/.
Of course, you are also welcome to contact us personally: Dr. Ursula Kampmann,
Pestalozzistr. 35, D-79540 Lörrach, Deutschland, Tel: +49 / 7621 / 47734; e-Mail:
press@iadaa.org