En kejser vender hjem på Glyptoteket

An Emperor Returns

Special Exhibitions /20.12.2024 - 04.02.2025

The repatriation of ancient artefacts to Türkiye

In the spring of 2023, the Glyptotek received a formal request – a so-called repatriation claim – from the Turkish Embassy in Denmark concerning the return of an ancient bronze portrait of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (145-211 CE). The request was prompted by an assumption that the portrait originated from Boubon in Türkiye, where it was illicitly excavated and traded in the 1960s. The Glyptotek’s recent research indicated that the bronze portrait likely originated from this site and was illegally exported from Türkiye. 

During the course of the museum’s research, a group of 48 architectural terracottas acquired in 1974 came to the museum’s attention. These pieces proved to originate from Düver, another archaeological site in Türkiye where they were illegally excavated and exported.  

As research has provided evidence that the artefacts from Boubon and Düver were obtained in an illegal and unethical manner as recently as the 1970s, the museum has decided to return them to Türkiye. This has now been approved by the Danish authorities.  

Before the 49 artefacts are permanently repatriated to Türkiye, the Glyptotek is presenting a farewell exhibition of the portrait of Septimius Severus and a selection of the architectural terracottas from Düver. 

Photo: Anders Sune Berg

Calendar

See the exciting activities and events, the Glyptotek has to offer. Please note, the events in Danish will not be presented here. Go to the Danish version of the homepage to see all events.

Café

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Picnic overlooking the Glyptotek's beautiful Winter Garden.

Iconoclasm – Art as a Battleground

In the exhibition the Glyptotek tells the story of our tempestuous relationship with art and what compels us to destroy it.