Object Description
Greek Proto-Corinthian Owl
Greek Proto-Corinthian vase in the form of an owl, dated at 650-625 B.C.
Identification Date
Between 2018 and 2021
Identification Location
Michael Steinhardt Private Collection
Artefact History
Before 1978
One (1) regular-print image from the archive confiscated from the convicted antiquities dealer Giacomo Medici. The owl appears resting on a linen fabric.
1978-1981
The owl was displayed at the Musée de l’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva.
1984-1996
The owl was displayed at the Getty Museum in Malibu, California.
12 Jun 1996
Robin Symes and Christos Michaelides sold the owl to the Beierwaltes collection in Colorado, US, for $150,000
2006
The Beierwaltes consigned their entire antiquities collection, to include the owl, to ‘Phoenix Ancient Art’ gallery, belonging to the Aboutaam brothers.
2009
Steinhardt purchased the owl from ‘Phoenix Ancient Art’ for $120,000.
2018-2021
On the request of the Manhattan DA’s Office, the owl 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 owl will be repatriated to Italy. Its repatriation took place on February 2022.