€50 Million in Italian Antiquities Recovered in Switzerland

Over 5,300 vases, frescoes and bronze statues, valued at €50 million, were recovered by the Carabineri in Italy’s campaign to reclaim stolen national treasures.

These rare antiquities were illegally looted from Italy and discovered during raids of the Swiss warehouses of accused Sicilian art dealer Gianfranco Becchina and his wife Ursula Juraschek. Their international network and operation reportedly includes tombaroli tomb raiders in Southern Italy and the creation of false provenance papers and item histories. Becchina will remain free, as the statute of limitations on the charges has expired.

“This is by a long shot the biggest recovery in history in terms of the quantity and quality of the archaeological treasures,” said Carabineri general Mariano Mossa. The discovery also included detailed item inventories, pictures and receipts of previous sales. These may lead to additional recoveries as officials track down items illegally looted through the network.

The pieces, ranging from 700 BC to 300 AD, may go on public display at the Terme di Diocleziano National Roman Museum before returning to southern Italy museums.

-Amanda Sztein