Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico and the United States have recovered a 17th century sculpture stolen in 2007. The piece, the sculpture of Saint Rose of Lima, was stolen from the chapel of Santa Monica, in Epazoyucan, Hidalgo.
Almost 17 years later, the sculpture of Santa Rosa de Lima was recovered, one of the six religious images that were stolen. During its recent recovery, it was presented along with six other repatriated pre-Hispanic pieces
Authorites from Mexico and the U.S. met at the Templo Mayor Museum. Representing the Secretary of Culture of the Government of Mexico, Claudia Curiel de Icaza and the head of International Exhibitions and Multilateral Cooperation, Iraís Avilés García, stated that from the Mexican perspective, cultural heritage does not constitute an asset of commercial value or collection value, “on the contrary, it is the bearer of identities, of peoples, their history and their future.
“We express our satisfaction that culture continues to serve as a bridge for dialogue and collaboration between our nations. What brings us together here today is to continue this cooperation that has led to the recovery of a total of 10,375 cultural assets.”
On behalf of the Director General of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), Diego Prieto Hernández, technical secretary José Luis Perea González, said the INAH helped in the investigation that finally lead to its recovery.
“With the restitution of the cultural heritage owned by the nation, the validity of the ‘Treaty of Cooperation between the United Mexican States and the United States of America, which provides for the Recovery and Return of Stolen Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Goods’, signed more than 50 years ago, is strengthened. Congratulations on Mexico’s cultural heritage,” said Perea González.
In his speech, the United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, highlighted the professionalism of the embassy team, made up of 3,400 workers, 2,100 of them Mexicans, who, day after day, strengthen the ties between both countries.
An example of this is the return of this devotional piece and six pre-Hispanic figurines, “because what is stolen must be returned. The history, heritage and greatness of Mexico belong here.” In their statement, authorities did not say how the piece was discovered or where in the U.S. it was found.
