Türkiye reclaims 2,500-year-old bronze kline from Getty Museum in US

Türkiye has successfully recovered a 2,500-year-old bronze kline, an ancient type of seating. The kline was illegally excavated from a tomb near Manisa in the early 1980s and then smuggled out of the country.

Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and international cooperation, the rare artifact was returned to Türkiye by the J. Paul Getty Museum, where experts are now examining it.

How was historic artifact repatriated to Türkiye?

The bronze kline, dated to 530 B.C., was purchased by the Getty Museum in 1982. However, scientific research has confirmed that the artifact had been illegally excavated from a tomb near Manisa and smuggled out of Türkiye in the early 1980s.

Through the persistent efforts of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, this invaluable cultural asset was successfully repatriated.

Experts continue their work on bronze kline

Upon its return, the bronze kline was delivered to the Istanbul Directorate of Restoration and Conservation for detailed examination by conservation and restoration experts. Conservator Deniz Nurcan highlighted that this kline is a rare example of its kind, as most klinai were made from stone or wood. The use of bronze in its construction makes this artifact especially unique.

Nurcan also noted that the linen fragments found on the kline perfectly matched wooden and bronze pieces unearthed from the same tomb. Collaborative efforts between Turkish archaeologists and Getty Museum experts confirmed that these fragments date back to the same period, proving the kline’s cultural significance to Türkiye. A detailed report from Getty Museum specialists has been shared, and Türkiye’s team is now working to document and analyze the artifact before it is prepared for exhibition.

Rare piece of antique furniture: Bronze kline

The repatriated kline is a rare type of furniture that was used for daily activities such as resting and dining in the ancient world.

Featuring bronze legs and rails with a structure built on an iron frame, the kline is composed of perforated copper sheets.

Its turned legs, protruding tenons at the corners, and a latticed surface supporting cushions represent an exceptional bronze example of what was typically crafted from wood in antiquity.

This bronze kline is the 36th artifact repatriated to Türkiye in 2024. Over the past six years, a total of 7,840 artifacts have been returned to the country, with the number of repatriated items reaching 12,155 since 2002.