New Delhi: Smithsonian Museum, located in Washington, will return Indian sculptures to the government of India after detailed provenance research confirmed their illegal removal from temple sites in Tamil Nadu.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art said the decision followed a systematic review of its South Asian collection. The investigation traced the origins of three bronzes to sacred temple settings.
The sculptures include Shiva Nataraja from the Chola period, Somaskanda from the 12th century, and Saint Sundarar with Paravai from the Vijayanagar era. All three highlight South India’s long tradition of bronze casting.
India has agreed to place the Shiva Nataraja on long-term loan to the museum. The sculpture will remain on public view with full disclosure of its history, removal, and return, according to a Museum release.
Researchers confirmed in 2023 that the bronzes appeared in temple photographs taken between 1956 and 1959. The images came from the French Institute of Pondicherry archives. The Archaeological Survey of India later validated the findings.
Officials said the Shiva Nataraja originated from a temple in Tanjavur district and entered the museum’s collection in 2002 through a New York gallery. Investigators later found irregular documentation linked to the sale.
The other two sculptures formed part of a major private donation in 1987. Research traced their origins to temples in Mannarkudi and Kallakuruchchi districts of Tamil Nadu.
The museum said it is coordinating with the Indian Embassy to complete the return process. It credited its provenance research team and international partners for their support.
