Humana sends smuggled Italian statues home

Written by Associated Press

Thursday, 15 December 2011 10:28

The Humana Building in Louisville, Ky., designed by architect Michael Graves, is a well-known example of postmodern architecture. It was completed in 1985. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

ROME (AP) – Officials say two Roman statues that were smuggled from Italy and purchased at a New York gallery in 1984 are being returned home.

The announcement was made Wednesday by the Italian government and Humana Inc., a health insurance company based in Louisville, Ky., that bought the statues in good faith and had displayed them at its headquarters.

The marble statues were of the Goddess Fortuna and another female figure.

Italy praised Humana for having come forth voluntarily and contacting the Culture Ministry with its suspicions about the statues. Italy has for years been on a campaign to compel museums and private collectors to return looted antiquities.

AP-WF-12-14-11 1518GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

The Humana Building in Louisville, Ky., designed by architect Michael Graves, is a well-known example of postmodern architecture. It was completed in 1985. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 December 2011 10:35