Over half a century after it vanished, the remarkable “Head of Alexander”—a marble bust dating to the first century CE and believed to portray Alexander the Great or a figure inspired by him—has finally returned to Italy. The sculpture originally belonged to the Antiquarium of the Roman Forum, where it disappeared sometime during the twentieth century.

Decades later, it resurfaced in the international art market and was eventually seized in New York in 2018 after authorities confirmed its illicit origins. The piece had been acquired by a Manhattan gallery owner, who purchased it in good faith in 2017.

Following a lengthy legal process, all claims to retain the artifact were rejected, and the bust was officially returned to Italian authorities during a formal ceremony in August 2025. Valued at around $150,000, the bust’s return marks a major success in Italy’s ongoing efforts to recover stolen cultural treasures.

But the “Head of Alexander” was not the only antiquity repatriated. A total of 31 priceless artifacts were returned to Italy, dating from the first to the fourth centuries BCE. Among them were 61 terracotta fragments from a large ancient Greek vase—a column krater attributed to the painter Lydos and dated around 580 BCE. The fragments had been deliberately broken up by traffickers and sold separately to various museums and private collectors across the United States. Thanks to coordinated efforts, the pieces were recovered and reunited before being shipped back to Italy in early 2025.

The repatriation ceremony in New York was attended by representatives of Italian law enforcement and cultural institutions, as well as U.S. officials involved in the investigations. Italy’s Consul General expressed deep appreciation for the close collaboration between Italian and American authorities, particularly the ongoing work to combat the illegal trade in antiquities.

Italy estimates the combined value of the recovered artifacts at over $4 million. Beyond their monetary worth, these pieces are of enormous archaeological and cultural significance, shedding light on centuries of Mediterranean history and artistic achievement.

This latest chapter in the country’s decades-long repatriation campaign reflects Italy’s strong commitment to protecting its heritage. Through persistence, diplomacy, and international cooperation, Italy continues to bring home cultural treasures that rightfully belong to its people and history.