Object Description
Greek Ionian Ram’s Head
Greek Ionian vase in the form of a ram’s head, dated at 600-500 B.C.
Identification Date
Between 2018 and 2021
Identification Location
Michael Steinhardt Private Collection
Artefact History
Before 1978
Two regular-print images from the archive confiscated from the convicted antiquities dealer Giacomo Medici. The ram’s head appears resting on a linen fabric.
1978-1981
The ram’s head was displayed at the Musée de l’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva.
1984-1996
The ram’s head was displayed at the Getty Museum in Malibu, California.
12 Jun 1996
Robin Symes and Christos Michaelides sold the ram’s head to the Beierwaltes collection in Colorado, US, for $120,000
2006
The Beierwaltes consigned their entire antiquities collection, to include the ram’s head, to ‘Phoenix Ancient Art’ gallery, belonging to the Aboutaam brothers.
2009
Steinhardt purchased the ram’s head from ‘Phoenix Ancient Art’ for $70,000.
2018-2021
On the request of the Manhattan DA’s Office, the ram’s head have been identified probably by the Italian authorities, in the Steinhardt collection.
Artefact Status
February 2022
In December 2021, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced that the ram’s head will be repatriated to Italy. Its repatriation took place on February 2022.