Cypriot antiquity was handed over to the Cyprus High Commission

The Department of Antiquities, Deputy Ministry of Culture announces that on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in a simple and modest ceremony held at the premises of The Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester, a Cypriot antiquity from the Cypro-Archaic period (750–475 BC) was handed over to the Cyprus High Commission in London.

The antiquity was identified in an online auction by Archaeological Officers of the Department of Antiquities responsible for monitoring the illegal trafficking of Cypriot antiquities on the internet, and was withdrawn following consultation with the auction house.

The Cyprus High Commission was represented by Mr Marios Theocharous, Cultural Counsellor, who received the object on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus. During the handover, Mr Theocharous expressed the deep emotion and honour of the Republic of Cyprus for the return of yet another piece of Cyprus’ long-standing cultural heritage. “We are not simply transferring an object,” he remarked, “but a piece of our collective memory, which is returning to the land that gave birth to it.”

Mr Niall Fry, Auctioneer/Valuer of The Cotswold Auction Company, together with colleagues, welcomed the Cypriot delegation and handed over the object, noting the company’s commitment to proper cooperation and respect for cultural heritage. Mr Fry congratulated the Republic of Cyprus for its continuous and systematic efforts to identify and repatriate antiquities, emphasising that the collaboration between the two sides was flawless and exemplary.

The antiquity, a ceramic juglet of Black-on-Red II (V) ware approximately 7 cm in height, was safely transported to the Cyprus High Commission in London, where it will be temporarily kept until its transfer to Cyprus by staff of the Department of Antiquities.

This repatriation forms part of the ongoing and uninterrupted actions of the Republic of Cyprus (Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus Police) for the protection and safeguarding of our cultural heritage, as well as for the return of antiquities that have been exported illegally from the country.