Stolen, sold, and destroyed
Sacred art is alive: it is a major component of the identities of living people and communities. Theft of sacred art is theft from everyone. Destruction of sacred items is profoundly destabilizing. The theft, trafficking, and destruction of sacred art is a special subset of the larger study of the movement of illicit art and antiquities. It has its own unique causes and, perhaps, its own unique solutions.
The purpose of this site is to try to understand this phenomenon better by collecting information. Find here articles and papers about the theft and destruction of the art and architecture of the world’s religious traditions and documentation of efforts to protect these sites and items.
Three antique idols seized from a temple in Nagapattinam
(India)The Hindu Bureau (2022). Three antique idols seized from a temple in Nagapattinam. The Hindu. 28 October.
Maha: Two held for theft of idols from old temple in Jalna
(India)Press Trust of India (2022). Maha: Two held for theft of idols from old temple in Jalna. Press Trust of India. 28 October.
How a Sacred Indonesian Artifact Ended Up On The Fourth Floor of Mundelein
(Indonesia; United States of America)Heather Higgins (2022). How a Sacred Indonesian Artifact Ended Up On The Fourth Floor of Mundelein. Loyola Phoenix. 26 October.
India demands return of stolen antique idols from US museum
(India; United States of America)Taniya Dutta (2022). India demands return of stolen antique idols from US museum. The National News. 26 October.
Two antique idols stolen from Tiruvarur temple 50 years ago, traced to United States
(India; United States of America)R. Sivaraman (2022). Two antique idols stolen from Tiruvarur temple 50 years ago, traced to United States. The Hindu. 25 October.