Efforts to Repatriate Valuable Cultural Artifact From Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Courtesy of Hyemun

Discussions have recommenced regarding the potential return of a silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary dating back to the 13th century during the Goryeo era. This precious relic is currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and talks have resumed after a decade-long hiatus.

Hyemun, a former Buddhist monk and leader of a non-profit civic group dedicated to the repatriation of cultural heritage, emphasized the need to restart discussions and focus on bringing the sarira relic back to South Korea. He mentioned that due to the Cultural Heritage Administration's refusal in 2009, they now need to restart negotiations from scratch, which could have been resolved earlier. 

▲ Courtesy of Hyemun

Hyemun announced that he had initiated discussions with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to negotiate the return of the relic. Efforts to repatriate this artifact began in 2003, but discussions fell through in 2009 when the museum proposed returning only the sarira without the reliquary. South Korea rejected this proposal, asserting that both the reliquary and sarira hold cultural significance and should be returned together.

Hyemun noted that currently, the focus is on the sarira's return, and the return of the reliquary is not under consideration, given the previous failed discussions a decade ago. He emphasized that the government should not dictate the manner in which Buddhist relics are returned, especially considering their religious significance.

The Cultural Heritage Administration disclosed that talks were revived in late April, following a visit by South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee to the museum. During her visit on April 28, Kim requested that discussions be reinitiated for the return of the artifact. The museum's director, Matthew Teitelbaum, expressed willingness to discuss the matter with relevant agencies.

The Cultural Heritage Administration clarified that they are still negotiating for both components to be repatriated as a complete set, as separating them would complicate the return of the reliquary. They are also collaborating with the Foreign Ministry in discussions with the museum.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquired the artifact in 1939 through a Japanese art dealer named Yamanaka. However, the origins of how Yamanaka obtained the relic remain unclear. The Cultural Heritage Administration has approached the issue with caution, emphasizing the need for further studies to confirm whether the artifact was stolen or smuggled out of South Korea.

Sayart.net 

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