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Principles for repatriation and restitution

Five basic principles

The Glyptotek takes provenance issues very seriously and handles requests for repatriation and restitution in a thorough and scientific manner.

Repatriation requests or other cases where objects are to be separated from the Glyptotek’s collection, the Glyptotek follows five basic principles based on legal, professional, and ethical considerations.

1. The Danish Museum Act

The Glyptotek is a state-recognised museum and is subject to the Danish Museum Act, which states that state-recognised museums may, in special cases and with the approval of the Minister of Culture, remove objects from the museum’s collections.

As a state-recognised museum subject to the Danish Museum Act, the Glyptotek is generally NOT allowed to sell or otherwise remove works from its collection, and there must be exceptional grounds and substantial documentation to apply for permission to seperate an object from the collection.

It follows from section 33 of the Danish Museum Act that a museum may not acquire an object if the object has been exported from another country in violation of that country's legislation and the matter is covered by an international agreement that has been acceded to by the country in question and Denmark (subsection 1) - and if such an acquisition has been made in violation of subsection 1, it must be returned in accordance with the relevant international agreement (subsection 2).

If the Glyptotek wishes to separate objects from its collection, the museum must apply for separation from the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces (SLKS) according to normal procedure.

If deaccessioning has been approved by the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces (SLKS), an application for export from Denmark must be submitted to The Danish Commission on the Export of Cultural Assets.

2. International Standards

The Glyptotek follows the UNESCO Convention of 1970 (followed by Danish law from 2003 and 2011, when Denmark ratified the 1970 Convention) as well as the museum ethical guidelines issued by ICOM (International Council of Museums), which were adopted in 1986.

These agreements are based on extensive professional work across nations and institutions, which the museum has signed up to and adheres to.

Denmark acceded to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Sale of Cultural Property on 26 June 2003. According to Article 7 of the Convention, an acceding state must take the necessary measures to prevent museums and similar institutions from acquiring objects that have been illegally exported from another state after the Convention has entered into force in both states concerned.

With effect from 1 July 2011, Denmark has also acceded to the UNIDROIT Convention of 24 June 1995 on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects, which sets out a number of conditions for the restitution of illegally exported objects.

Section 33 of the Danish Museum Act does not apply to objects acquired before Denmark's accession to the Convention.

The UNESCO Convention of 1970 The museum ethical guidelines issued by ICOM (International Council of Museums)

3. Ethical considerations and proactive responsibility

In some cases, considerations of museum ethics may weigh more heavily than legal ownership. This may apply to objects acquired before 2003, when Denmark acceded to the UNESCO Convention on the Treatment of Illegal and Stolen Objects. The Glyptotek emphasises the ethical aspects of repatriation and restitution cases if there is compelling evidence that an object has been obtained, for example, through illicit excavations and illegal export.

The Glyptotek endeavours to act proactively if the museum becomes aware of objects that may have been acquired in violation of the museum's acquisition policy, the UNESCO Convention and ICOM's guidelines.

In such cases, the Glyptotek will always contact the relevant parties in the case in order to investigate the circumstances of the case and the further course of action.

4. The Glyptotek works scientifically and research-based

The Glyptotek works scientifically and research-based in each individual case to provide a professional basis for decision-making and documentation regarding the possible separation of an artefact.

The Glyptotek's case handling focuses on the individual work rather than on the interests of the collection or individual countries.

5. Dialogue and collaboration

The Glyptotek strives to process repatriation and restitution cases through dialogue between the parties involved rather than through the media and public debates until the case is concluded for all parties. This is to ensure an open and professional dialogue between the parties involved and to ensure the necessary professional process forms the basis for the final decision in each individual case.

If a case leads to repatriation/restitution, the Glyptotek wishes to use a transfer as a starting point for closer communication, exhibition, and research collaboration with the institution to which the artefact is repatriated. The Glyptotek is prepared to make its research and expertise available to the other parties involved in the case and, following its conclusion, to the wider public.

About the return of a Roman bronze portrait to Türkiye in 2025

01 En Kejser Vender Hjem. Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg — The exhibition *An Emperor Returns* from 2025.
*Before* *an ancient bronze portrait of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (145-211 CE) and 48 ancient architectural terracottas* were permanently repatriated to Türkiye, the Glyptotek presented a farewell exhibition.
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Düver IN 3477 Anders Sune Berg — Press release about the repatriation of ancient artefacts to Türkiye in 2025.
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Principles for repatriation and restitution

Five basic principles

1. The Danish Museum Act

2. International Standards

3. Ethical considerations and proactive responsibility

4. The Glyptotek works scientifically and research-based

5. Dialogue and collaboration

About the return of a Roman bronze portrait to Türkiye in 2025

Principles for repatriation and restitution

About the return of a Roman bronze portrait to Türkiye in 2025