A 65-year-old American tourist of Egyptian descent was arrested this past Wednesday for knocking over several 2,000-year-old ancient Roman busts at the Vatican Museums. According to Italian news agency Adnkronos, the artifacts were only partially damaged, but will require roughly €15,000 EUR and between 300 and 350 hours of restoration work.
The incident occurred in the Chiaramonti Museum, where rows of similar statues line the corridor. Per The Art Newspaper, the visitor had been reprimanded in the US before for gross indecency, and was in Rome for a three-day trip because he wanted to see the Pope.
Man topples two ancient Roman busts in the Vatican Museums ?https://t.co/4DJfjhA0dU pic.twitter.com/Ge0roZQWkp
— Gareth Harney (@OptimoPrincipi) October 5, 2022
The sculptures consist one of a veiled figure from the Augustan-late Republican age, along with a bust of a young man that is believed to be a prince of Constantine’s family (II-IV century). Although restoration is underway, experts believe they will never be the same again.
Quickly after the event unfolded, the museum’s gendarmerie took control of the situation and have since transferred the unidentified man to Italian authorities.
On the topic of antiquities, a $2,000 USD Chinese vase stuns auction house by selling for $9 Million USD.
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wazup.