Stolen Masterpieces?

As nations push to reclaim ancient art they say was spirited away, the proper home of many of these pieces has been called into question

The recent decision by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to return 21 ancient—and allegedly stolen—artifacts to Italy may be a watershed event in the often down-and-dirty antiquities trade. Officials of nations such as Italy and Egypt have long contended that big U.S. museums such as the Met, Getty, and Boston Museum of Fine Art have helped foster the illegal antiquities trade by being overly willing to acquire ancient objects with doubtful provenances. The Met decision could lead to a raft of new claims. Here is a selection of artifacts that have been recovered, are still missing, or are believed to be sought by authorities.