The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the United Kingdom Recovers a Rare Artefact
Thanks to the exceptional and sustained efforts of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the United Kingdom over several years, and as part of the on-going “Diplomacy of Retrieval” initiative, the Embassy, represented by Ambassador Mohammed Jaafar Al-Sadr, has successfully recovered a rare artefact. This artefact is a panel depicting the upper portion of a winged Assyrian genie, which originally adorned the Northwest Palace at the Nimrud archaeological site. The panel, weighing approximately (333 kilograms), is square-shaped with dimensions of (1.16 metres in width and 1.13 metres in length), and it dates back to between (883 and 859 B.C.).
A formal handover ceremony for the artefact took place in London on Wednesday, September the 4th 2024. The event was attended by representatives from the Metropolitan Police Art & Antiquity Unit, the British Museum, the British Institute for the Study of Iraq, the Nahrain Network, and the lawyer who facilitated the panel’s return.
During his speech, Ambassador Al-Sadr highlighted the immense historical significance of the artefact, a significance that has only increased following the destruction of the Nimrud Palace in Nineveh Province by ISIS.
Ambassador Al-Sadr emphasized that the panel’s return to Iraq—the cradle of civilizations in the Mesopotamian Valley—carries profound historical and cultural value. He acknowledged that this achievement would not have been possible without the close collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the United Kingdom and the Metropolitan Police Art & Antiquity Unit. The ambassador expressed his deep gratitude for the extensive support provided by the police officers, British Museum officials, and the lawyer involved. He also urged all individuals in possession of Iraqi artefacts to return them to their homeland, Iraq.
The ceremony was attended by several diplomats and staff members from the embassy.
