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Joint statement from Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ and the Schøyen Collection: Aramaic Incantation Bowls

27 June 2007

Over the period 1995-1996, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ accepted custody of an important collection of Aramaic incantation bowls from the Schøyen Collection for the purposes of carrying out research.


In 2003 questions were raised in the media with regard to the origin of these bowls, as a result of which Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾, with the agreement of the Schøyen Collection, initiated an inquiry into their provenance.

Following a searching investigation by an eminent panel of experts, and further enquiries of its own, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ is pleased to announce that no claims adverse to the Schøyen Collection's right and title have been made or intimated.

Having made all the enquiries that it reasonably could, Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ has no basis for concluding that title is vested other than in the Schøyen Collection. Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ has now returned the bowls to the Schøyen Collection and has agreed to pay a sum in respect of its possession of them.

The investigations it has carried out have provided valuable lessons which will greatly assist Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ in developing new guidelines for its stewardship of cultural objects.