Category: Greece

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Parthenon Marble Replica – will it help the claim for repatriation?

This is a really interesting story because the scans for the replica were made in a guerilla intervention. The BM did not give permission for it, and the Oxford-based Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA) undertook the scanning surreptitiously. Salon (see below) says ‘Roger Michel, the founder of the Institute and Alexy Karenowska, the Institute’s Director of Technology, used Lidar cameras to generate an accurate scan.’

I’ve heard it said that the robot created an absolutely faithful replica.

‘The sculptures are accurate to a fraction of a millimetre.’

Photo from Salon: The Society of Antiquaries of London Online Newsletter (see below) mage credits: Roger Michel watches as the head is carved, Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA)

So, critics of the BM can then say ‘Why not return the original if you have faithful replicas?’

Well, yes but it is still a replica (albeit made of the same Pentelic Marble as the original) and museums are testament to the power of the original. I can see a great reproduction of the Mona Lisa anytime, but it didn’t stop me going to the Louvre to stand with the hordes to see the original. Further, the robot produced sculpture was then finished off with extensive work by a team of humans.

The issue has never been about the quality of a possible copy to replace the returned originals. It is about who owns the originals.

However, this is still a coup of propaganda that has created one more chip in the defensive wall the BM has put up around the issue.

Note: you can subscribe to Salon: The Society of Antiquaries of London Online Newsletter

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British Museum is talking about a deal with Greece over the Parthenon Marbles

Copies of the Parthenon available in BM shop! Photo: KFlude

AKA the Elgin Marbles. All my life it seems as if we haven’t been talking to Greece about sending them home. Recently, there was a strong dismissal of any such hope. But today, I read that the British Museum is open to discussion. Statements from the Deputy Jonathan Williams and even the Chairman, ex Tory Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, have expressed optimism that there is a ‘deal to be done’.

Reading between the lines, the position appears to be based on the ‘fact’ that we own them legally, and that, by discussion of mutual loan arrangements, some, if not all, of the stones, can go home on loan, in exchange for other loans from Greece coming to the UK.

https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2022/08/british-museum-opens-door-to-parthenon-deal-with-greece/#msdynttrid=sQLCQs-9urbZY6tAcOyVSPE4FS0zrRWKh9OGeB5eDD0

Nearly, all ‘restitution’ cases are settled by the realisation that there are mutual benefits to be had for the return of items. The Horniman is leading the way with its announcement to return 72 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.

The statement from Nigeria suggests that mutual loans are a part of the deal here too.

Abba Tijani, director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), said: “We very much welcome this decision by the trustees of the Horniman Museum & Gardens. Following the endorsement by the Charity Commission, we look forward to a productive discussion on loan agreements and collaborations between the NCMM and the Horniman.”