Mexican Government Claims US Auction House Sold Fake and Stolen Items
- November 13, 2014 15:23
Nearly half of 100 pre-Hispanic artifacts sold at a New York auction on Wednesday were fake or stolen, claim Mexican government officials.
Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History issued a statement in Spanish and translated by NPR:
Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History condemns the auction by Bonhams in New York of pre-Columbian, Mexican artifacts. The auction took place without regard to legal and ethical norms. The sale not only violated Mexican laws but the Treaty of Cooperation Between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Providing For The Recovery and Return of Stolen Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Properties that was signed on July 17, 1970.
A Bonhams spokesperson told NPR that the items in the sale were carefully researched by auction staff.
