The Department of Antiquities of the State of Libya and the Cleveland Museum of Art announced an agreement in principle for the transfer of a Ptolemaic statue of a man to the State of Libya.

The statue is a black basalt figure acquired by the CMA in 1991. Based on new information provided by the Department of Antiquities and research undertaken at the CMA, the museum voluntarily recognizes the statue as the property of Libya. For a period of time, the Department of Antiquities has generously lent the work to the museum. In addition, the museum and the department are exploring areas for future collaboration.

“We appreciate the willingness of the Cleveland Museum of Art to work with the department in accomplishing the transfer of this important work,” said Mohamed Faraj Mohamed, head of the Department of Antiquities of the State of Libya. “We look forward to continued cooperation with the museum.”

William M. Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, noted, “We are very pleased with the collaboration and open dialogue we have had with our colleagues in Libya and look forward to the opportunity for enhanced cultural exchange that our agreement with them represents.”