Rome to Display Ancient Greek Silverware Returned by the Metropolitan

ROME.- Ancient Greek artworks — pieces of silverware with gold detail dating to the third century B.C. — are going on display in Rome after being returned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

A table ornament part of a collection of ancient Greek silverware dating to the third century B.C., on display in Rome, Friday, March 19, 2010, after being returned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The 16 pieces of silverware with gold detail, returned as part of Italy's aggressive campaign against illegal trafficking in antiquities, form one of the most important Hellenistic silverware collections to have survived from Sicily, according to Italian art officials. The pieces are known as "The Morgantina Treasure" after the name of the ancient Greek settlement where they were excavated, near what is now the Italian city of Aidone

The 16 pieces include two large bowls, a cup with two handles, plates and drinking utensils. They were returned as part of Italy’s aggressive campaign against illegal trafficking in antiquities.

Italian art officials said Friday that the pieces will go on display at the Museo Nazionale Romano in the Italian capital. The exhibit opens Saturday and runs through May 23, and then moves to Sicily.

The pieces are known as “The Morgantina Treasure” after the name of the ancient Greek settlement near what is now the Italian city of Aidone, Sicily.

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