Committee for Cultural Policy

In addition to submitting testimony regarding Chile's request for the Renewal of Import Restrictions, the Committee and Global Heritage Alliance also submitted testimony to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee on the Request for Renewal of Import Restrictions from the Kingdom of Morocco.

Morocco's push to renew its MOU with the U.S. under the Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA) raises concerns due to the lack of evidence supporting a looting crisis. The broad import restrictions imposed on Moroccan artifacts harm U.S. businesses, collectors, and institutions dealing with legally sourced items, with no proof of widespread illicit trafficking. Morocco has neglected key self-help measures, such as regulating metal detecting, which could effectively address looting issues. These actions conflict with CPIA’s intent, which requires evidence-based policies and targeted restrictions. It’s crucial to reassess the MOU renewal to ensure a more transparent, balanced approach that considers the interests of all stakeholders involved.

Read the full testimony by clicking the link below.

CCP & GHA Response to Morocco’s Request to Restrict U.S. Access to Antiquities and Ethnological Art UPDATE! The February 4, 2005 hearing on renewal of MOUs with Italy, Chile and Morocco and a new proposed MOU with Vietnam was cancelled on January 31! The State Department's Cultural Heritage Bureau stated that

The Committee for Cultural Policy has submitted written testimony to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee on the Request for Renewal of Import Restrictions from the Republic of Chile.

Chile is pushing for a renewal of its cultural property agreement with the U.S., but the evidence supporting this request is weak and lacking in crucial areas. There’s no solid proof of a looting crisis or a thriving U.S. market for Chilean antiquities, with major auction houses reporting zero sales of Chilean objects since 2015. Furthermore, Chile has failed to demonstrate adequate self-help measures to protect its cultural heritage, relying mostly on external assistance rather than fostering a national commitment to preserve its past. Despite this, Chile has not prioritized cultural exchange, with minimal efforts to share its rich heritage through exhibitions in the U.S. or elsewhere. Chile’s archaeological efforts, driven largely by infrastructure development and tourism, face significant challenges, including weak heritage protection, conflicts with indigenous communities, and the ongoing destruction of crucial sites like the Atacama Desert geoglyphs. Instead of continuing import restrictions, experts argue that the U.S. should focus on supporting archaeological efforts and public education in Chile, particularly among indigenous communities. The current proposal for restrictions overlooks the core issue—lack of action on the ground in Chile—and misdirects valuable resources in the U.S. toward a non-existent illegal market.

Read the Committee's full testimony by clicking the link below.

Chile Requests Five Year Extension of U.S. Import Restrictions UPDATE! The February 4, 2005 hearing on renewal of MOUs with Italy, Chile and Morocco and a new proposed MOU with Vietnam was cancelled on January 31! The State Department's Cultural Heritage Bureau stated that

Vietnam is pushing for a bold cultural move by requesting U.S. restrictions on the import of its archaeological and ethnological materials, spanning from the Paleolithic era to 1945. This request includes virtually every item crafted by human hands, from gold and ivory to silk and calligraphy. At the same time, the Vietnamese government is fostering a flourishing domestic market where wealthy citizens are free to collect these very artifacts, even as they demand repatriation from abroad. The growing influence of private museums like Do Hung’s in Ho Chi Minh City showcases Vietnam’s paradoxical stance—preserving heritage for the local elite while restricting access to global citizens, especially those in the Vietnamese diaspora.

The government's desire to safeguard its cultural treasures seems to conflict with its booming tourism industry, as UNESCO-listed sites like Hạ Long Bay and Hội An draw millions of visitors annually. Meanwhile, historical artifacts like the Goddess Durga statue are returned to Vietnam in high-profile ceremonies, adding to the tension between preservation, nationalism, and global access to heritage. Vietnam’s cultural policies raise critical questions: Should its socialist government hold exclusive rights over its ancient artifacts, or should these treasures be shared globally, particularly with Vietnamese Americans longing to reconnect with their roots?

Read more by clicking the link below.

Vietnam’s Request for Cultural Property Agreement Stretching from 1945 to 77,000 years ago UPDATE! The February 4, 2005 hearing on renewal of MOUs with Italy, Chile and Morocco and a new proposed MOU with Vietnam was cancelled on January 31! The State Department's Cultural Heritage Bureau stated that

In 2025, the U.S. is imposing sweeping restrictions on the import of cultural property from thirty-four countries, blocking access to art, antiques, and collectibles that have been in legal circulation for decades. These restrictions, tied to diplomatic agreements known as MOUs, cover everything from coins and pottery to religious artifacts, and even prevent diaspora communities from reclaiming their own cultural heritage. The government claims these measures protect against looting, but critics argue they’re overly broad, impacting legal collectors, museums, and communities without evidence of looting or trafficking.

Countries like Morocco and Vietnam are seeking even broader restrictions, raising concerns about authoritarian regimes using these agreements to bolster their own political agendas, while harming cultural exchange and legal collecting in the U.S.

The Cultural Property Advisory Committee will soon vote on new five-year extensions for several countries, continuing a pattern of agreements that critics say disregard U.S. heritage laws and favor diplomatic goals over true preservation.

With such policies growing in scope and frequency, it’s time to ask: Are these actions protecting cultural heritage, or are they silencing the voices of communities who need access to their own history?

Read more by clicking the link below.

More Bricks in Wall Against Art: Vietnam Import Ban Sought Watch for our special supplement articles on Vietnam, Italy, Chile, and Morocco coming January 24! As 2025 begins, the United States blocks import of virtually all art and antiques from thirty-four countries. Blanket import restrictions deny

The National Gallery of Denmark (SMK) is challenging traditional ideas of art authenticity with a groundbreaking exhibition opening in March 2025. It will feature 19th-century plaster casts alongside cutting-edge 3D-printed replicas of Michelangelo’s iconic works, like David and Medici Madonna. These reproductions aim to make globally scattered masterpieces more accessible while sparking a conversation about what it means to truly experience art.

The exhibition, curated by Matthias Wivel, explores whether perfect replicas can enhance our connection to history or if they strip away emotional resonance. It also raises fascinating questions about the role of destruction in art, using the example of Infant John the Baptist, which was damaged during the Spanish Civil War and now carries its scars as part of its story. Through this innovative show, SMK invites visitors to rethink the role of authenticity, context, and technology in understanding art.

Read more by clicking the link below.

Denmark Michelangelo Exhibition: Another Side of Art Reproduction One hundred fifty years ago, students of art history learned through engravings and often heavy-handed reproductions and plaster casts of iconic works. Few could afford to travel to see original world masterpieces. Today’s technologically sophisticated

In 2019, President Trump proposed purchasing Greenland, citing strategic and economic reasons—but the U.S. fascination with the island goes far beyond politics. The idea is rooted in a blend of Viking mythology, historical myths, and outright frauds, particularly the false connection between Norse exploration and the discovery of America. While Greenland has been a part of Denmark since 1721, its growing push for independence highlights the complexities of Greenlandic-American relations. The story behind the U.S. interest in Greenland is far more tangled than it first appears—full of myths, hoaxes, and the reshaping of cultural identities. It's a history worth revisiting in 2025.

Click below to read more.

Photo: Christian Krohg (1852-1925), Leiv Eirikson discovering America, 1893, Nasjonalmuseet, Oslo, Norway, public domain.

Buying Greenland: Strategic Interests, Viking Myths, Archaeology and Project Iceworm Plans to purchase Greenland have intrigued U.S. leaders for centuries. As originally proposed by President Trump in 2019, its purchase was supposedly driven by strategic and economic interests – but earlier attempts were primarily motivated

Efforts to return ritual skulls taken by colonial missionaries to Papua New Guinea have hit an unexpected roadblock: modern Papuan communities have refused to accept them. The skulls, once used in ceremonial practices along the Sepik River, were intricately decorated and held deep spiritual significance for the Iatmul people. However, during colonial times, they were collected as symbols of "savagery" and became prized objects in Europe. The Missiemuseum in the Netherlands recently initiated discussions about returning five of these skulls, but despite their historical value, the Iatmul communities declined, citing fears of curses and the loss of spiritual meaning over time. Villagers view the skulls as relics of a bygone era with no practical relevance today.

Read more by clicking the photo below.

Papuan Tribes Refuse Return of Ritual Skulls, Citing Curses and Loss of Relevance Efforts to return ritual skulls collected by colonial missionaries to their place of origin have faced an unexpected obstacle: the modern-day Papuan communities have firmly refused to take them back. Ritual skulls, crafted by the Iatmul

Recently, a longtime member of the Committee for Cultural Policy’s Board of Directors, John Gilmore Ford, passed away at his home in Baltimore, Maryland.

John served as a trustee of the Freer-Sackler Museum and the Walters Art Museum, where he became a Trustee Emeritus. His leadership on the South Asian and Himalayan Acquisitions Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and as chairman of the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust exemplified his commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Under his guidance, the Trust undertook dozens of restoration projects, safeguarding Nepal’s architectural treasures.

John and Berthe’s gifts to the Walters Art Museum, including over 200 sculptures, paintings, and ritual objects, formed the foundation of the museum’s South Asian and Himalayan art galleries. Their legacy lives on at the museum in the Arts of Asia: Art of India, Nepal, and Tibet – The John and Berthe Ford Gallery, a testament to their dedication to making art accessible to all.

Read more about John's remarkable contributions by clicking the link below.

John Gilmore Ford (1928–2024) A Life Devoted to Art, Preservation, and Public Access It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Gilmore Ford, a longtime member of the Committee for Cultural Policy's Board of Directors, on December 21, 2024, at his home in Baltimore,

Curious as to how the new Trump presidency will affect the world of collecting? Peter K. Tompa speculates on the possible impacts, covering potential new tariffs, proposed anti-money laundering regulations, and the influence of archaeology advocacy groups. Read more by clicking the link below.

Careful Collector 34: What the Second Trump Administration Might Mean for Collectors [1] Donald Trump is now the second US President to be elected twice to non-consecutive terms, the first one being Democrat Grover Cleveland in 1893. The big question for readers of Cultural Property News is what

Have you heard of HR 7865? The bill seeks to "facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic materials." While the bill was introduced last spring, it has since picked up five cosponsors.

You can read more about the bill here https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7865/all-info and here: https://accguild.org/news/13422115

Relatedly, Peter Tompa writes about the possible renewal of the our current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Italy, and how the extension may be used to impose new import restrictions on Roman Imperial Coins. Read more here:

https://culturalpropertyobserver.blogspot.com/2024/12/please-help-save-roman-imperial-coin.html

Please Help Save Roman Imperial Coin Collecting (and Express Concerns about Current or Possible Restrictions on Other Coins from Chile, Italy, Morocco, and Vietnam) The State Department has announced that Italy has requested a renewal of its current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Stat...

Part IV of our Cultural Cookbook series to ring in the New Year features recipes from the grandmother of CCP’s Executive Director, Kate Fitz Gibbon. Hazel and Kate’s grandfather Clarence “Pop” Williams were born just after the turn of the century in Berkeley, California. Hazel worked as a telephone operator at the local newspaper, the Berkeley Daily Gazette. Kate shares a collection of her recipes, and those belonging to her grandmother’s friends, including Mrs. Gaebler’s Apple Sauce Cake, Miss Lombard’s Gingerbread, and Hazel’s Sour Milk Biscuits. Hungry yet? Read more and get the recipes by clicking the link below.

Cultural Cookbook 4: Heirloom Desserts from Hazel’s Berkeley Kitchen The following recipes come straight from my grandmother Hazel Pinkerton’s recipe box! Hazel and my grandfather Clarence “Pop” Williams were born just after the turn of the century in Berkeley, California; Hazel in a house

Part III of our Cultural Cookbook features recipes from Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and the Philippines: Sago Grub Sate with Peanut Sauce; Flying Fox (or chicken!) with Prunes and Cream Sauce; Bananas on Fire, and more. Click the link below to learn about these traditional recipes and try them yourself (with the exception of Paua Sup)!

Cultural Cookbook 3: Papuan and East Asian Medley Recipes from Papua New Guinea From the mettle-testing menu of the as-yet-only-dreamed-of Extreme Cuisine Restaurant, some of these recipes from a friend raised on an alligator farm in Papua New Guinea contain surprising ingredients. Sago grubs