Getty to return 2 disputed antiquities to Greece

A Los Angeles museum has agreed to return two ancient sculptures that Greece claimed were removed illegally — and officials in the Mediterranean country predict that other antiquities could soon be repatriated.

Officials announced Monday that theJ. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and Greece had reached an agreement for the return ofa 4th-century-BC tombstone from near Thebes and a 6th-century BC votive relief from the island of Thassos.

"This is just the beginning," said Greek Culture Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis.

"I believe that in the future, we will have very good results concerning other antiquities whose return we are seeking."

'Right to return the works'

Greece and Italy have been exerting public pressure over dozens of artifacts inthe collection of the Getty, run by the private Getty Foundation. Greece has also made similar claims to other museums.

In 1955, oil magnate J. Paul Getty bought the votive relief, which shows two women bearing gifts to a goddess. Found by French archaeologists about 100 years ago, it had been stolen from a storeroom, Greece said.

The black limestone tombstone or "stele," carved witha figure of a young warrior, had been in the museum's collection since 1993 and wasillegally excavated in the early 1990s.

"The decision to return the two ancient artifacts to Greece was based on a thorough internal investigation carried out by the Getty Museum, which concluded that it would be right to return the works," said a joint statement issued by Greek and Getty officials.

The accord was initially hammered out in May at a meeting in Athens between the museum's director, Michael Brand, and the Greek culture minister. The Getty board of directors then had to approve the deal.

No date has been set for the return of theancient sculptures to Greece.

Talks continue over other disputed artifacts

Greece is continuing negotiations with the Getty over other disputed artifacts.

The talks will centreon two pieces:a marble figure of a young woman, whichis also claimed by Italy, and a gold wreath dating from 4th century BC.

Both artifacts are on display in the Getty Villa, reopened this year to showcase the Getty's ancient works.

The Getty hopes to secure lending rights on other artifacts in the talks, to be completed by August.

Former Getty curator on trial

The Getty announced a tentative agreement with Italy to return some disputed artifacts in June.

Marion True, the former curator of theGetty, is on trial in Rome over her role in acquiring some of the works claimed by Italy.