Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Nepal Seeks Return of Historic Necklace from Art Institute of Chicago
Imagine a very special, old necklace from Nepal that belonged to a king and was dedicated to a goddess.
This necklace was kept safe in a museum in Nepal until it disappeared in 1976 and later showed up in a museum in Chicago.
Now, Nepal wants the necklace back because they believe it was stolen.
They have shown proof, like an old list that describes the necklace and mentions the king, but the museum is asking for more evidence.
It's a bit like a detective story, but with an important piece of history that a whole country wants to have returned home.
Nepal is seeking the repatriation of a historic Taleju Bhawani necklace from the Art Institute of Chicago.
The ornate collar, dating to the mid-seventeenth century, is attributed to King Pratap Malla of Nepal and features intricate designs and inscriptions invoking the goddess Taleju Bhawani.
The necklace was housed in Nepal until it vanished from a museum in 1976 and subsequently appeared in Chicago, where it was acquired by art collectors and donated to the Art Institute.
Nepal's request for repatriation, initiated in 2021, gained momentum after a scroll inventorying King Pratap Malla’s gifts to the Taleju Bhawani temple was discovered.
The Art Institute of Chicago has requested further evidence of Nepali origin, despite inscriptions linking the artifact to the Malla dynasty, while a report alleged the necklace was stolen.
- Who
- Nepal and the Art Institute of Chicago
- What
- Nepal has requested the repatriation of a historic Taleju Bhawani necklace, which is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.
- When
- The necklace is from the mid-seventeenth century; the repatriation campaign began in 2021.
- Where
- The necklace is in the Art Institute of Chicago; Nepal is seeking its return.
- Why
- Nepal believes the necklace was stolen and is a significant cultural artifact.
Nepal's Position
Art Institute of Chicago's Position
Ownership and Origin
Nepal's Position
Asserts the necklace is a stolen cultural artifact originating from Nepal, evidenced by inscriptions linking it to King Pratap Malla and a discovered temple inventory scroll.
Art Institute of Chicago's Position
Requires further evidence to definitively prove the necklace's origin in Nepal, notwithstanding existing inscriptions and historical context.
Provenance and Ethics
Nepal's Position
Highlights that the dealer from whom the necklace was acquired admitted to unethical practices, and a report alleged the artifact was stolen.
Art Institute of Chicago's Position
Has not publicly detailed its stance on the provenance issues beyond requesting evidence, but has received other repatriated items from the Alsdorf collection.
- Artifact
- Taleju Bhawani necklace
- Origin
- Mid-seventeenth-century Nepal
- Attributed to
- King Pratap Malla
- Current Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Repatriation Request Date
- 2021
- UNESCO Convention on Stolen Property
- 1970