Chicago returned to Athens 5 ancient works of art - Formerly in the hands of the Gray family

These are two black-figure vases (amphora and olpi) from Attic workshops of the 6th century BC. A bronze mirror from the Late Archaic-Classical period.

A headless marble statue of Hermes (1st century BC - 1st century AD) and part of a relief, depicting the goddess Athena, from the 2nd century AD

“Return of five ancient Greek works of art to the land that created them”

The objects were acquired in the 1970s and 1980s by the Richard and Mary L. Gray family. In May 2025, their three children, Harry, Jeniffer and Paul Gray, contacted the Greek authorities and jointly proceeded with their voluntary return. The process was completed yesterday, under the responsibility of the Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Property of the Ministry of Culture.

Lina Mendoni stated at the handover ceremony:

“Today, another story of longing is being written, with the return of five ancient Greek works of art to the land that created them. The Gray family’s decision to return the antiquities is an act of generosity, responsibility and a high sense of justice.

In the person of Jeniffer Gray, present, I express my gratitude to the Gray family for their stance, which highlights the decisive role of citizens in the protection of cultural heritage. The voluntary handovers of antiquities are significant successes of our country. In recent years, more than 200 objects have been repatriated from 17 countries, from all continents, which reflects the effectiveness of our strategy and the trust that has been built between the Greek State and citizens abroad. Behind each such act lies a lot of work, systematic research and responsible guidance. Those who return Greek antiquities are rightfully ranked among the friends of Greek culture and allies of our country in the fight against antiquities trafficking. It is with emotion that we welcome the antiquities to their homeland. We continue with consistency and dedication the effort to protect our cultural heritage.”

The minister thanked the Gray family for their decision, as well as the Greek diplomats and officials of the Ministry of Culture for their contribution to the successful completion of the repatriation, highlighting in particular the contribution of the former Consul General in San Francisco, Grigorios Tassiopoulos, for handling the case in its initial phase, and of the Consul General in Chicago, Emmanuel Koumbarakis.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by Consul Georgia Tassiopoulos, the head of the Gray Collection Trust's collections management, Erin Bakunas, the Director of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods of the Ministry of Culture, Vasiliki Papageorgiou, and officials of the Ministry of Culture<