by Amineddoleh & Associates LLC | Nov 11, 2021 |
Image by Gary Rohman, accessed at https://america250.org/engage/events/november-salute/
Today marks the exciting launch of a creative collaboration between The People’s Picture and America250 for its November Salute 2021 exhibition. The People’s Picture, our client, is a photography and design studio focusing on cutting-edge projects that meld design and technology. Its founder, Helen Marshall, is a British artist who believes in the power of photography as a visual storytelling medium that brings communities together to engage in storytelling that creates, celebrates, and owns their unique legacies. The studio specializes in photo mosaics and installations. Referring to her experience working with our legal team, Ms. Marshall stated, “It was a special experience working with Amineddoleh & Associates, as we started our journey incorporating our company in the US. Our work is I hope by nature, collaborative and egalitarian, and it felt streamlined and in tune with the firm from start to finish, with your very particular attention to detail.”
Our client was commissioned to create a digital photo mosaic and art installation depicting WWI hero Sgt. Henry Johnson in honor of the centennial of the dedication of the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. Henry Johnson was an African American soldier who received the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, the country’s highest award, for his valor in combat. He was one of the first Americans to receive this distinction, and his accomplishments include saving a fellow soldier from being taken prisoner by German forces and engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat despite his own severe wounds. Sgt. Johnson was also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1996, the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002, and the Medal of Honor in 2015. President Theodore Roosevelt referred to him as “one of the five bravest American soldiers in the war.” Sgt. Johnson was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery after his death in 1929.
The installation is currently on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri and is available for exploration online at the America250 website. We invite readers to explore the interactive digital mosaic, which is composed of photos and stories celebrating US military veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and guard members submitted by the public, combined with images from the National WWI Museum and Memorial Archive. It has been an honor for our firm to work with The People’s Picture, America250, and the National WWI Museum and Memorial to help make this work come to fruition.
Thank you to all the veterans for your service as we honor you on this Veterans Day.
by Amineddoleh & Associates LLC | Nov 9, 2021 |
This entry in our ongoing Provenance Series addresses the phenomenon of unexpected archaeological discoveries and their role in spurring historical and cultural research.
Portrait of Richard III in the National Portrait Gallery
Archeologists often spend years digging for and uncovering cultural heritage artifacts around the world. These artifacts serve as windows into the past and are pivotal in piecing together the history of the world and its myriad cultures. Some famous discoveries, however, were found entirely by accident rather than by careful planning. For example, in 1974, a group of Chinese farmers digging a well struck the head of a clay figure with their shovels. The resulting excavation revealed an ancient tomb with thousands of life-size sculptures depicting horses and warriors in full armor and battle formation, guarding the remains of an emperor. We now know of the sculptures as the Terra Cotta Warriors. In 1947, a Bedouin goat and sheep herder searching for his lost goat happened upon a cave that contained papyrus scrolls later confirmed to be the Dead Sea Scrolls. These contain some of the earliest known writings from the Bible and new fragments are still being discovered today.
While some discoveries were unexpected because they were found by accident, other discoveries are shocking due to the location where they were found. The body of Richard III, a king from the Plantagenet line who ruled England during the medieval Wars of the Roses (and later inspired one of Shakespeare’s plays), was famously uncovered in a parking lot in Leicester in 2012, after a group of archeologists from the local university and members of the Richard III Society coordinated efforts to find his body. Previously, it was believed that Richard III had been buried in Greyfriars Church in Leicester, which was likely destroyed during the reign of Henry VIII.
Over the past few years, there have been several notable unexpected discoveries, including the following:
4,000-year-old Log Coffin in a Pond at an English Golf Course
A 4,000-year-old log coffin containing human remains and a “perfectly preserved ax” was discovered in a small pond at the Tetney Golf Club near Grimsby, England. The club owner’s feared that the discovery would hurt business, and the excavation team sought to obtain sufficient information about the artifacts. Hence, although the discovery was made in the summer of 2018, it was not announced until this past September.
Three years ago, workers on the golf course were using a large excavator to carry out improvements to the pond. Unexpectedly, it collided with a very large, hard object. The owners of the course notified local authorities and luckily Hugh Willmott, an archeologist and senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield, and his archeological team were working at a nearby excavation site. They were able to arrive at the golf course the next day to carry out rescue measures.
Over the past three years archeologists, historians, and conservationists have been completing preservation works on these fragile artifacts. The coffin is around three meters long and one meter wide and is believed to be from the Bronze Age (since log coffins are only known to have been used then). The man in the coffin was estimated to be tall for that time (5 foot 9 inches), approximately in his 30s or 40s at the time of death, and likely someone of great stature in his community. The axe is considered rare, as only 12 of this type have been discovered in Britain. It has a wooden handle and a stone head, and is believed a “symbol of authority” rather than a tool used in practice.
Given the size of the coffin, the conservation process is still under way. Once complete, the coffin and axe will be displayed at the Collection Museum, an art and archeological museum in Lincolnshire. The discovery has been called a “brilliant learning experience” and is expected to produce valuable information on ancient regional burial practices.
Roman Artifacts Discovered Under an Abandoned Medieval Church near London
A CGI image showing what St. Mary’s Church may have looked like when built. Image: courtesy of HS2
Less than 150 miles from the golf course, another major find was discovered. Earlier this month, a team unearthed three Roman statues and a rare glass jug as they concluded their dig at St. Mary’s Church in Stoke Mandeville, a town 46 miles outside of London.
The “once in a lifetime” and “uniquely remarkable” find included two full stone torsos and heads of an adult man and woman, and a stone head of what appears to be a child. The lead archeologist noted the exceptional preservation of the sculptures, commenting: “[Y]ou really get an impression of the people they depict—literally looking into the faces of the past is a unique experience.” In addition, the team also uncovered pieces of a very rare and surprisingly intact hexagonal glass jug, for which there is only one other comparable item; the other job was discovered in Tunisia and is now on display at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The artifacts were discovered at the site of an ancient Norman church. Researchers believe this site might originally have been a Bronze Age burial site. It was then the site of a Roman mausoleum built during the Roman occupation of Britain. Finally, it served as the site of St. Mary’s church, which was erected around 1080 C.E, renovated in the 13th 14th, and 17th centuries, and eventually torn down in the mid-20th century. This site’s rich history has been at the center of other archeological discoveries, including 3,000 bodies at the burial site of the church, Roman cremation urns, and painted walls and roof tiles.
This dig, funded by the U.K.’s national Department of Transport, is one of 60 sites that will be excavated ahead of the construction of the new H2S high-speed railway. This new, controversial railway will connect the expanse of the United Kingdom, but some surveys suggest that there are nearly 1,000 potential excavation sites along the proposed 350-mile route. It remains to be seen whether other archaeological discoveries will come to light.
Subway Station Development in Rome Leads to Additional Discoveries
In Rome, archeologists have been excavating at Amba Aradam in preparation for a new subway station that will connect Rome’s city center to towns in the eastern perimeter of the metropolitan area. Because the subway line is being built over 100 feet below ground, this has allowed archeologists to excavate much deeper than usual and, as a result, make a number of significant discoveries.
A Roman domus (not the one found under the subway station)
In 2016, the dig uncovered a military barrack from the 2nd C.E., during the rule of Emperor Hadrian. The find was so impressive that the government plans to create the city’s first “archaeological station.” Two years later, the team found a domus, or house, with a central courtyard, frescoed walls, patterned mosaic floors, a fountain, at least 14 rooms, rare wooden artifacts, and a similar sized structure 40 feet below ground, that is believed to have been used as a warehouse. This house likely belonged to the commander of the previously discovered military post. Given that the five-foot walls of the house were filled with dirt, researchers believe that it may have been buried intentionally in the third century, just prior to the construction of the walls of Rome in 271 C.E. As works on the subway line are ongoing, the likelihood of future discoveries remains a tantalizing possibility.
While some discoveries take place in the ground, some occur underwater.
Hoard of Roman Coins Found Along the Spanish Coast
In August 2021, two men on a family vacation were snorkeling when they came upon a stash of Roman coins – one of the largest of its kind ever discovered in Europe. The coins, dating back to the 4th-5th centuries C.E., had fallen into a rock crevice 20 feet underwater in Portitxol Bay by Xàbia, a popular tourist resort. The men removed eight coins with a Swiss Army knife and contacted the local authorities once they had inspected their find after surfacing. Authorities returned to the dive site with a team of underwater archaeologists from the University of Alicante and the Spanish Civil Guard. The team ultimately retrieved 53 coins, 3 nails and lead fragments (likely once part of the chest containing the hoard). The coins are in excellent condition, allowing researchers to read their inscriptions and identify the Roman rulers they depict. Rather than being lost in a shipwreck, the coins were probably hidden intentionally by a wealthy landowner to protect them from barbarian invaders during the decline of the Western Roman Empire. The individual most likely sank a boat in the bay with the intention of returning to claim his property but died before doing so. The coins will be restored and exhibited at the Soler Blasco Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum in Xàbia, while the regional government of Valencia is sponsoring further underwater excavations in the area.
Crusader Sword Discovered Off the Coast of Israel
12th Century painting of a Crusader
In October 2021, an amateur diver found a 900-year-old sword dating back to the Crusades off the northern coast of Israel. The sword, as well as other ancient artifacts, became visible after sands shifted on the sea floor. It was covered in seashells, barnacles, and other forms of sea life but is otherwise preserved in perfect condition. The “beautiful and rare find” belonged to a knight, although further restoration is required to identify whether it is of Christian or Muslim origin, as they typically used swords of a similar size and shape. Since the sword was buried in a deep layer of sand and not exposed to oxygen, it avoided rust and other degradation. Archaeologists expect further artifacts to surface, particularly since the site was once a hotbed of mercantile activity. In the meantime, the sword has been taken to a scientific laboratory under the auspices of the Israel Antiquities Authority for cleaning and further research.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about these surprising archaeological discoveries. Amineddoleh & Associates continues to remain invested in the preservation of historical and cultural artifacts. You can access the other entries in our Provenance Series here and read about our firm’s services here.
by Amineddoleh & Associates LLC | Oct 29, 2021 |
Cover of 1909 Pearson’s Magazine featuring the Unlucky Mummy
Just in time for Halloween, this spooky entry in our Provenance Series explores the strange case of the “Unlucky Mummy,” an ancient Egyptian artifact held by the British Museum since 1889 and rumored to have played a part in several tragic events during the last 150 years. The name of the object is misleading, as it is not an actual mummy, but rather a painted wooden “mummy board” or inner coffin lid depicting a woman of high rank. Mummy boards were placed on top of mummies, covered in plaster, and decorated elaborately with protective symbols of rebirth. The Unlucky Mummy was discovered in Thebes, an ancient hub for religious activity and the site of a renowned necropolis. It dates back to 950-900 B.C.E. While the lid does contain hieroglyphic inscriptions, these only refer to religious phrases; the identity of the deceased remains unknown. In the early 1900s, British Museum specialists believed that she may have been a temple priestess or a member of the royal family, but this was never confirmed by supporting evidence.
According to the museum’s records, the mummy board was originally acquired by an English traveler in Egypt during the 1860s-1870s. The mummy itself was most likely left in Egypt, since it has never formed part of the British Museum’s collection. The traveler was part of a group of Oxford graduates touring Luxor, who drew lots to haggle over the coffin lid. All four companions suffered unfortunate fates soon after this purchase. One of the men disappeared into the desert, one was accidentally shot by a servant and had his arm amputated, one lost his entire life’s savings, and one fell severely ill and was reduced to poverty. The mummy board then passed to the sister of one of the men, Mrs. Warwick Hunt, whose household became plagued by a series of misfortunes. When Mrs. Hunt attempted to have the coffin lid photographed in 1887, the photographer and porter both died, and the man hired to translate the hieroglyphs committed suicide. Clairvoyant Madame Helena Blavatsky allegedly detected an evil influence emanating from the mummy board, and convinced Mrs. Hunt to dispose of the object by donating it to the British Museum. Yet tales of the curse would follow. In 1904, journalist Bertram Fletcher Robinson published an article in the Daily Express titled “A Priestess of Death,” detailing the mummy board’s grisly exploits. When he died suddenly three years later, this was attributed to the Unlucky Mummy’s vengeance from beyond the grave. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and avowed spiritualist, claimed that the mummy’s spirit had used “elemental forces” to strike down Robinson.
One of the more sensational stories is that the mummy board was on the SS Titanic in 1912 and caused the ship to sink. However, this is only a rumor; the Unlucky Mummy has been on public display since the 1890s, except during WWI and WWII when it was placed in storage for safekeeping. It first left the British Museum in 1990 for a temporary exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, and it made it back to London safe and sound. In fact, much of the mummy’s malevolent backstory was invented by English editor William T. Stead, who possessed a fascination with the supernatural. Ironically, Stead perished on the Titanic – but the Unlucky Mummy’s legacy lives on. It is allegedly responsible for multiple murders, illnesses, injuries, hauntings, eerie noises, flickering lights, and other suspicious activity.
For those who wish to see the Unlucky Mummy in person, it is currently located in Room 62 of the British Museum. Hopefully, its curse won’t follow you home…
by Amineddoleh & Associates LLC | Oct 26, 2021 |
Today, the Gilbert Trust for the Arts in London announced the return a 4,250-year-old Anatolian gold ewer from the Gilbert Collection to Turkey. The Gilbert Collection was created by Arthur Gilbert (1913-2001), who amassed an outstanding collection of British and European decorative arts that is currently on long-term loan to the Victoria & Albert Museum (the V&A). Unbeknownst to Gilbert, the ewer was the product of illegal excavation and export. This came to light in 2019, after the Gilbert Trust for the Arts, which is responsible for managing the collection, performed an extensive provenance research project revealing the ewer’s connection to an unscrupulous antiquities dealer who concealed its true origins. Our founder, Leila A. Amineddoleh, played a role during this process as she shared her expertise in repatriation matters with the Gilbert Trust’s researchers and provided advice on what approach to adopt (based on legal and ethical grounds).
As a result of its discussions with the Turkish Ministry of Culture, the Gilbert Trust officially donated the ewer to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara and commissioned a leading contemporary metalsmith to create a piece addressing the object’s history, to be displayed at the V&A in December. This recreation will allow the ewer to remain present in the museum’s galleries and initiate a constructive dialogue on the importance of proactive provenance research, collaboration, and exchange. While other institutions are sometimes wary of repatriating objects without a legal requirement to do so, the Gilbert Trust’s actions demonstrate that it is possible to return cultural objects in a way that is both respectful to current possessors and takes the source country’s wishes into consideration, leading to a mutually beneficial solution.
The Ewer’s Provenance
Not only is the ewer a stunning example of ancient metalwork, it also possesses a fascinating history. This masterpiece was created by a Hattian goldsmith living in Anatolia over 4,000 years ago. The ewer was formed by embossing a single sheet of gold with complex patterns, including an ancient symbol of the sun, in order to accompany a Hattian ruler into the afterlife. When Gilbert acquired the ewer in 1989, he was dazzled by the evocative story as well as its beauty. However, because Gilbert was not very experienced in collecting these types of objects (this was the only archaeological object he ever bought), the seller was able to conceal the ewer’s illicit origins and misrepresent the origins of the piece.
In fact, Bruce McNall – the antiquities dealer who sold the work to Gilbert – later admitted to smuggling ancient artifacts out of source countries like Italy, Greece and Turkey. He worked alongside his partner, Robert E. Hecht, to sell items to unsuspecting buyers. McNall is a colorful figure who once owned Thoroughbred racehorses as well as sports teams (the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League), enjoying a great deal of commercial success. However, his fall from grace in the early 1990s after defaulting on a $90 million loan resulted in bankruptcy and a 6-year stint in prison. McNall’s autobiography, published in 2003, details his partnership with Hecht and offers a glimpse into the world of illicit antiquities trafficking. According to the book, at one point Hecht occupied the dubious honor of being the world’s largest source of recently discovered antiquities, which he was able to procure thanks to monetary resources and an extensive network of grave robbers, smugglers, and intermediaries. Once items were obtained, they passed through countries without export controls and then onto Hecht, who sold them on to a collector or dealer. In order to sell the illusion that an item’s provenance was above board, Hecht would spin tales about its location in private homes and the like for the past several decades. As his reputation – and notoriety – increased, buyers would come to Hecht knowing that he could procure rare and valuable pieces. This included McNall, who later opened a gallery on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles supplied mainly by Hecht’s dubious dealings. Both men drove the market for ancient art amongst the wealthy, creating false sales receipts and invoices from foreign-based companies (usually set up by McNall and Hecht) to cover their tracks.
Notably, Hecht was also tied to the Euphronios Krater later returned to Italy by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2005, Hecht was charged with trafficking in looted antiquities alongside former Getty Museum curator Marion True and Italian dealer Giacomo Medici, but the case was dismissed in Italian court because the statute of limitations expired before the verdict was issued. He moved to Paris in the wake of the scandal, where he eventually passed away in 2012 – although his legacy lives on in the remaining looted objects that passed through his hands and are dispersed throughout the world.
The Importance of Provenance Research
During the period when McNall and Hecht were active, provenance research was not given the same importance it holds today. For the majority of purchasers, including museums, not asking in-depth questions about provenance or looking the other way when confronted with suspicious ownership histories was considered the norm. However, nowadays museums and private collectors increasingly acknowledge the crucial role of provenance research in upholding the legitimacy and ethical role of cultural institutions as stewards for the public.
It is commendable when a collection proactively engages in discussions with foreign entities to right a past wrong. By following this course of action, it is possible for all stakeholders to determine the best outcome for displaced antiquities, without resorting to contentious and costly litigation (an expense that is burdensome for both private institutions and government entities). As such, creative results are possible, as in the Gilbert Trust’s agreement with Turkey. The Gilbert Trust made the decision to engage in proactive discussions with Turkey, a nation known to aggressively protect its cultural heritage and demand the repatriation of looted objects. However, by digging deeper into its collection to understand their histories, the ewer will finally return to its home, the Gilbert Collection will retain its unblemished reputation, and the V&A is engaging the public in discussions concerning ownership, history, and museum ethics.
