Getty Museum ready to return some disputed art to Italy

The J. Paul Getty Trust is ready to return 21 works of art to Italy in an effort to settle a dispute over looted artifacts.

The board of the Los Angeles-based Getty Museum approved a proposal last week, ahead of talks in Rome between Italian authorities and museum officials.

The Italians have requested 52 artifacts, which they say were taken out of the country illegally and sold by unscrupulous dealers.

After the resumption of talks on Monday, the lead Italian negotiator, Maurizio Fiorilli, said there was a more co-operative spirit from the Getty Trust, which oversees the Getty Museum.

"There is a fundamental difference in today's approach," Fiorilli said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "You can see they are prepared...and there is greater awareness."

Among the artifacts the Getty is prepared to relinquish are two hunting griffins, a statue of Apollo and a 2,600-year-old cup by the Greek artist Euphronios.

All the contested items are on display at the newly renovated Getty Villa, which has been transformed into a museum of ancient artifacts.

The Italians have requested a copy of an internal review, performed last year by the Getty Museum, that questioned the background of as many as 350 artifacts in the Getty collection.

The internal review does not say the items were looted, but says they may have been bought through dealers who have since been "discredited."

The talks between Getty and the Italians continue Wednesday. Italian reaction to the Getty offer is not yet known.

Italian authorities have insisted they want all 52 marble statues, vases and other pieces of ancient art returned to the country.

The Getty paid more than $48 million US for the artifacts.

Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Museum in New York made a deal with Italy to return disputed artifacts in exchange for a long-term lending deal of Italian antiquities.