Oxford University set to return 500-year-old stolen bronze idol to India

Oxford University has made a landmark decision to return a 500-year-old bronze idol to India, marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to repatriate cultural artifacts. The idol, depicting Saint Tirumankai Alvar, is believed to have been stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu and was acquired by the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford from Sotheby’s auction house in 1967.
The statue’s journey back to its homeland began when an independent researcher alerted the museum to its origins in November last year. Following this revelation, the Indian government made a formal request for the return of the statue, which stands 60 cm tall and represents a revered figure in Hinduism.

Saint Tirumankai Alvar, one of the twelve Alvar saints of South India, is celebrated for his devotion and poetic contributions to the Tamil literature. The bronze idol, dating back to the 16th century, is a work of religious and historical significance, embodying the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The University of Oxford’s council supported the claim from the Indian High Commission on March 11, 2024, and the decision is now awaiting approval from the Charity Commission. The return of the idol is part of a broader movement where institutions and governments worldwide are grappling with the ethical implications of holding artifacts with dubious provenance.

The Ashmolean Museum, known for its extensive collection of art and archaeology artifacts, stated that it acquired the statue in good faith. However, the museum’s proactive approach to rectify the situation reflects a growing awareness and sensitivity towards cultural restitution.
This act of repatriation is not isolated. In recent years, there have been several instances where stolen Indian artifacts were restored from the UK to India. For example, in August last year, a limestone carved relief sculpture from Andhra Pradesh and a “Navaneetha Krishna” bronze sculpture from 17th century Tamil Nadu were handed over to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK following a joint US-UK investigation involving Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Unit.
The return of the Saint Tirumankai Alvar idol is a significant step forward in correcting historical wrongs. It also highlights the importance of due diligence in the acquisition of cultural artifacts by museums and collectors. The repatriation process, often lengthy and complex, involves legal and diplomatic negotiations that can span years.
The Ashmolean Museum’s decision to return the idol to India is a positive development in the ongoing dialogue about cultural heritage and its rightful ownership. It underscores the need for transparency and cooperation between nations to ensure that cultural treasures are preserved and appreciated in their rightful context.
The return of the bronze idol to India is expected to be a momentous occasion, symbolizing not only the homecoming of a cherished cultural artifact but also the strengthening of ties between the UK and India. It is a powerful example to set for other institutions holding artifacts of contested ownership to consider the moral and ethical implications of their collections.