US National Museum Of Asian Art To Return Three Ancient Bronze Sculptures To India

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is returning three sculptures to India, including “Shiva Nataraja” (Chola period, ca. 990), “Somaskanda” (Chola period, 12th century) and “Saint Sundarar with Paravai” (Vijayanagar period, 16th century). The decision follows an extensive provenance investigation carried out by the museum, according to an official press release issued on Thursday.

All three sculptures are examples of South India’s celebrated bronze art tradition. All three were originally sacred temple objects, traditionally used in religious processions.

While all three sculptures will be returned to India, the Indian government has agreed to place the “Shiva Nataraja” on long-term loan with the museum. It will continue to be displayed

as part of the exhibition The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas. The museum said this will help it openly present the full history of the object, including its removal and return.

The museum began a systematic review of its South Asia collection, examining ownership records and transaction histories.

In 2023, working with the Photo Archives of the French Institute of Pondicherry, researchers confirmed that the sculptures had been photographed in temples in Tamil Nadu between 1956 and 1959. The Archaeological Survey of India later verified that the objects had been taken in violation of Indian law.

“The National Museum of Asian Art is committed to stewarding cultural heritage responsibly and advancing transparency in our collection,” said museum director Chase F Robinson. He added that the return reflects the institution’s focus on ethical museum practices and thanked the Indian government for allowing the continued display of the Shiva Nataraja.

Further research showed that the “Shiva Nataraja” belonged to the Sri Bhava Aushadesvara Temple in Tamil Nadu and was later sold to the museum in 2002 using falsified documents. The other two sculptures entered the museum’s collection in 1987 as part of a large donation.

The museum said it is coordinating closely with the Embassy of India to finalise the return process. It credited its provenance research team, curators, and international partners for supporting the investigation.