The art and material culture of ancient civilizations offer unique opportunities to learn about the people and ideas that shaped our modern world. Much of the information contained in these objects is lost if they are dug up illegally, removed from their original context, and sold by looters.

The AMAM is committed to preventing the illegal trafficking in archaeological material and ancient art by seeking verifiable provenance for any object under consideration for acquisition. Following the Association of Art Museum Directors’ Guidelines on the Acquisition of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art and the American Alliance of Museums’ Ethics, Standards, and Professional Practices regarding Archaeological Material and Ancient Art, the AMAM recognizes the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970). In accordance with this convention, the AMAM will not acquire archaeological materials or ancient art unless documentation substantiates either that the work was outside its country of discovery before November 17, 1970, or that it was legally exported from its country of discovery on or after that date.

The AMAM maintains a list of its ancient and archaeological works acquired after November 17, 1970, and for which there is either no documentation, or incomplete documentation, that the work was outside its country of discovery before that date. The AMAM has completed a review of the Greek, Roman, Cypriot, and Etruscan works currently on view in its galleries and continues to assess other ancient Mediterranean and Asian works.

On June 4, 2008, the AAMD stipulated that member institutions document any new acquisitions of ancient art or archaeological material on its Registry of New Acquisitions of Archaeological Material and Works of Ancient Art. The AMAM has not acquired any such works since these guidelines went into effect; should the AMAM acquire further archaeological material or ancient art in the future, those works will be registered through the AAMD.

Archaeological material and ancient art acquired after 1970

Roman, East Aegean, Early 1st century A.D.

Ampulla (Lamp with Acanthus Leaf Decoration)
Glazed earthenware
1 3/4 x 7 1/8 x 3 in. (4.4 x 18.1 x 7.6 cm) Gift of Bernard Grebanier, 1971.15

Provenance:
Unknown Near Eastern collection or dealer;
Bernard Grebanier, New York, until February 1971; [1] Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by Bernard Grebanier.

Notes:
[1] A research paper dated May 1971 states that Grebanier purchased the piece in the Near East. [AMAM curatorial file]

Roman, East Aegean (Syria), 1st century A.D.

Ampulla (Lamp Depicting the Goddess Luna)
Glazed earthenware
1 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. (3.2 x 15.9 x 9.2 cm) Gift of Bernard Grebanier, 1971.16

Provenance:
Unknown Near Eastern collection or dealer;
Bernard Grebanier, New York, until February 1971; [1] Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by Bernard Grebanier.

Notes:
[1] A research paper dated May 1971 states that Grebanier purchased the piece in the Near East. [AMAM curatorial file]

Roman, East Aegean, 1st – 2nd century A.D.

Ampulla (Lamp with Erotic Decoration)
Glazed earthenware
7/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. (2.2 x 8.6 x 9.5 cm) Gift of Bernard Grebanier, 1971.17

Provenance:
Unknown Near Eastern collection or dealer;
Bernard Grebanier, New York, until February 1971; [1] Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by Bernard Grebanier.

Notes:
[1] A research paper dated May 1971 states that Grebanier purchased the piece in the Near East. [AMAM curatorial file]

Roman, East Aegean, 1st – 2nd century A.D.

Ampulla (Lamp Depicting Mercury or Lunus Riding a Rooster)
Glazed earthenware
7/8 x 5 1/16 x 3 7/16 in. (2.2 x 12.9 x 8.7 cm) Gift of Bernard Grebanier, 1971.18

Provenance:
Unknown Near Eastern collection or dealer;
Bernard Grebanier, New York, until February 1971; [1] Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by Bernard Grebanier.

Notes:
[1] A research paper dated May 1971 states that Grebanier purchased the piece in the Near East. [AMAM curatorial file]

Cyclades, Greece, ca. 2400 – 2200 B.C.

Cycladic Head (Dokathismia or Chalandriani Variety)
Marble
Height: 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm) Friends of Art Fund, 1971.30

Provenance:
Charles D. Kelekian (dealer), New York (acquired through an agent), until March 1971; Allen Memorial Art Museum, purchased from Charles D. Kelekian.

Greek (Corinthian), ca. 600 B.C.

Aryballos Depicting a Lion Protome (Facial View) Motif
Glazed earthenware
Height: 2 3/4 in. (7 cm) Friends of Art Fund, 1972.13

Provenance:
Hesperia Art, Philadelphia, until 1972;
Allen Memorial Art Museum, purchased from Hesperia Art.

Greek, Hellenistic Period, 330 – 30 B.C.

Kanephoros (Figure Carrying a Basket)
Earthenware
6 x 1 9/16 x 1 1/8 in. (15.2 x 4 x 2.9 cm)
Gift of the Bernard Grebanier Estate, 1977.69

Provenance:
Bernard Grebanier and his Estate, until 1977;
Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by the Grebanier Estate.

Roman, Syria, 4th century A.D.

Beaker with Folded and Flattened Rim
Glass
Height: 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); Diameter: 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm) Gift of Margaret R. Schauffler (OC 1918), 1978.25

Provenance:
Margaret R. Schauffler, until 1978;
Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by Margaret R. Schauffler.

Roman, Syria, Late 1st – early 2nd century A.D.

Globular Flask with Folded and Flattened Rim
Glass
Height: 4 5/16 in. (11 cm); Diameter: 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm) Gift of Margaret R. Schauffler (OC 1918), 1978.26

Provenance:
Margaret R. Schauffler, until 1978;
Allen Memorial Art Museum, given by Margaret R. Schauffler.