Cultural Property Laws explores the complex world of international law governing cultural heritage, examining the ownership, sale, and repatriation of artifacts. It tackles the question of who truly owns the past by dissecting major legal frameworks like the UNESCO Convention, which combats illicit trafficking of cultural objects, and the UNIDROIT Convention, aimed at harmonizing national laws for restitution. The book highlights how these laws evolved from protecting war booty to addressing ethical collecting, revealing how colonialism and globalization have shaped the movement of cultural objects.
The book argues that the current system, while striving for fairness, faces inconsistencies that spark disputes. It provides historical context and case studies, tracing the development of cultural property law and its impact on museums and the art market. Starting with fundamental concepts like defining “cultural property,” the book progresses through key legal principles and culminates in a critical assessment of current laws and future directions. It references historical research, legal analysis, and case studies to support its arguments.
