Cyprus
U.S. Protection of Byzantine Ecclesiastical
and Ritual Ethnological Materials
I.
U.S. Actions
II. Background
III.
Categories of Artifacts Subject to Import Restriction
IV. Import Regulations
V. For More Information
I.
U.S. Actions
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On August
29, 2003, the U.S. extended the emergency import restriction on
Byzantine ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological material from Cyprus.
The extension will be for three years from September 4, 2003.
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On April
12, 1999, the U.S. imposed an emergency import restriction on Byzantine
ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological material from Cyprus unless
such material is accompanied by an export permit issued by the Government
of the Republic of Cyprus.
II. Background
The emergency
import restriction is in response to a request from the Government of
the Republic of Cyprus seeking protection of its cultural heritage under
Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting
and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership
of Cultural Property. Cyprus is the first country in the Mediterranean
region to seek the help of the United States in protecting its cultural
property.
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Icon of
Christ Arakiotis, from the Church of Panagia tou Araka at Lagoudera.
Photo courtesy of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus
|
Materials
produced during the Byzantine period illustrate the high degree
of artistic achievement on Cyprus and include some of the finest
pieces of Byzantine art ever produced. International recognition
of certain Byzantine monuments on the island is exemplified by
their inscription on the World Heritage List. Due to their great
value on the U.S. and international art market, Byzantine ecclesiastical
material and items of ritual significance such as icons are subject
to pillage throughout Cyprus. |
III.
Categories of Artifacts Subject to Import Restriction
A. Byzantine ritual and
ecclesiastical ethnologlical material.
A description of the artifacts
was published by U.S. Customs on April 12, 1999, in the Federal
Register. The
categories of Byzantine ritual and ecclesiastical ethnological material
subject to import restriction include objects of metal, wood, ivory
and bone, textiles, stone (mosaics), and frescos (wall paintings).
They range in date from approximately the 4th century A.D. through
approximately the 15th century A.D.
Objects listed
in the Federal Register notice may enter the U.S. if they have
an export permit issued by the Government of Cyprus or verifiable documentation
that they left Cyprus prior to the effective date of the restriction:
April
12, 1999.
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Revised: August 29, 2003 |
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SELECT
FROM THE FOLLOWING:
Cyprus
Information Page on Byzantine Ritual and Ecclesiastical Ethnological Material
Cyprus
Ethnological Image Collection
Cyprus
Information Page on Pre-Classical and Classical Archaeological Material
Cyprus
Archaeological Image Collection
2003
Federal Register Notice (text)
2002
Agreement
2002
Federal Register Notice (html) (text)
1999
Federal Register Notice (html) (text)
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