Switzerland returns a statue and two Mesopotamian reliefs of great significance to Iraq

On 24 May 2024, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, returned three archaeological cultural goods of great significance to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, Mr Fouad Hussein.

_DSC9274
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, Mr Fouad Hussein and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider

These three Mesopotamian objects, which are between 1,700 and 2,800 years old, had been confiscated during a criminal procedure in the canton of Geneva. The handover took place at the Federal Office of Culture (FOC), where the objects are in a special exhibition open to the public until 7 June 2024.

Neo-Assyrian relief
Discovered by Austen Henry Layard between 1846 and 1847 in the Centre Palace of Nimrud-Kalhu in Iraq, this Neo-Assyrian relief is exceptional: entitled Idols and captives from a conquered nation, it stems from the monumental double frieze recounting the reign of Tiglath-Pileser III (745–722 BC). From left to right, Assyrian soldiers deport the gods of Babylon and its population. Together with the neighboring relief in the British Museum, it forms the oldest known deportation scene.

Specialist staff
Last modification 03.06.2024

Top of page

https://www.bak.admin.ch/content/bak/en/home/news/bak---aktuelles---archiv/aktuelles-2024/restitution-objets-mesopotamiens-a-irak.html