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Cyprus:

Byzantine Period Ecclesiastical & Ritual Ethnological Materials

I. Background
II. Categories of Artifacts Subject to Import Restriction
III. Import Regulations
IV. For More Information

I. Background

Image of Icon of Christ Arakiotis, from the Church of Panagia tou Araka at Lagoudera
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.
II. Categories of Artifacts Subject to Import Restriction

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.

III. Import Regulations

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.

IV. For More Information 

United States
Cultural Heritage Center

Cyprus
Director
Department of Antiquities
Ministry of Communications and Works
P.O. Box 22024
1516 Nicosia
CYPRUS
Tel.: (357) 22-865801
Fax : (357) 22-303148

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Revised: September 8, 2006		   SELECT FROM THE FOLLOWING: 

Cyprus General Information Page

Cyprus Information Page on Byzantine Ritual and Ecclesiastical Ethnological Material

Cyprus Information Page on Pre-Classical and Classical Archaeological Material

Cyprus Image Collections: Ethnological & Archaeological Materials

2002 Agreement

2002 Federal Register Notice (Designated List: Archaeology)

2006 Amendment to Agreement

1999 Federal Register Notice (Designated List: Ethnology)  

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