Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered a treasure trove of ancient Indian antiques in Singapore allegedly procured from an art gallery run by notorious art smuggler Subhash Kapoor in the US.
Officials from the antiquity wing of the ASI, who visited Singapore last month following a communication from the city-state, have found 30 antique objects, including idols dating to the 10th century and paintings.
Of these, a majority were from south India and had been sold by Kapoor's gallery 'Art of the Past' between 2007 and 2012 to Singapore, ASI sources said.
According to sources, ASI received a communication from Singapore-based Asian Civilisation Museum last year that said it was in possession of two antiquities -- idol of a Hindu goddess and a Christ Altar -- purchased from Art of the Past.
The letter also mentioned the museum had about 30 antiques procured from the notorious art dealer.
"When we examined the two antiquities, it was confirmed that it was goddess Uma Maheshwari idol from south India and Christ Altar belonging to a church in Goa. While the age of the idol is between 9th and 10th century, the Christ Altar dates back to 18th century," an official, who was part of the team that travelled to Singapore between May 12 and 15, told PTI.
The authorities were able to establish that the bronze Uma Maheshwari idol had been smuggled from India, thanks to a complaint registered about its theft with Tamil Nadu police.
"Fortunately, we had evidence in case of the Uma Maheshwari idol due to a theft complaint in Tamil Nadu. However, though we could authenticate that the Christ Altar object was from Goa, there was no complaint of theft in this regard," the official noted.
The sources said the Singapore museum authorities have agreed to return the Uma Maheshwari idol.
