Australia returned two cultural objects to Mexico

On 27 February 2023, the Minister for the Arts of Australia, the Hon. Tony Burke, handed over two cultural objects to the Ambassador of Mexico, H.E Mr. Eduardo Peña Haller, in a special ceremony at the Embassy of Mexico in Canberra.

The objects belonging to the cultural heritage of Mexico were seized under Australia’s Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986, which provides for the return of foreign cultural property illegally exported from other countries and imported into Australia.

The returned objects consist of an ex-voto painting traditionally made in Mexico to illustrate a miracle and honour the intervention of a saint, and a copper bowl dating back to the 13th century crafted by the indigenous Mixtec people.

This cooperation represents a successful example of fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural property and facilitating returns at the international level within the framework of the UNESCO 1970 Convention.