KATHMANDU: The Nepali Embassy in Washington DC has facilitated the return of 24 artifacts to the Department of Archaeology, marking a significant step in the repatriation of Nepal's cultural heritage. These artifacts were received from a US citizen named Susan Bradford on April 19 in Maui, Hawaii, who had once owned them as part of her private collection.
The artifacts, some dating back to the 13th century but mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries, were voluntarily returned by Bradford, who sponsored their shipping to Nepal. The embassy expressed gratitude to Bradford for her initiative in returning these precious pieces of Nepali heritage to the government.
This act of repatriation underscores the embassy's commitment to recovering and repatriating lost and stolen Nepali art treasures. The embassy has been actively collaborating with relevant agencies of both the Nepali and US governments, art researchers, heritage recovery advocates, media, and private individuals in its efforts. With the addition of these 24 artifacts, the embassy has successfully facilitated the return of a total of 63 artifacts to Nepal within the span of a year.
