The elgin marbles are a source of controversy between modern britain and greece it s a collection of stone pieces rescued removed from the ruins of the ancient greek parthenon in the nineteenth century and now in demand to be sent back from the british museum to greece.
The marbles british museum.
When the marbles were shipped to england they were an instant success among many who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival but both the sculptures and elgin also received criticism from detractors.
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Lord elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the british museum in 1811 but negotiations failed despite the support of british artists after the government.
The british museum is again refusing to return the parthenon marbles to their country of origin claiming it has no intention of removing controversial objects from public display according to uk media reports.
The elgin marbles refer to a collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details dating back to the fifth century bc which are currently kept in the british museum london.
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In a leaked letter uk culture secretary oliver dowden said that government funded museums and galleries risk losing taxpayer support if they remove artefacts.
The british museum says it will never return the elgin marbles defending their removal as a creative act hartwig fischer s statements are already drawing international backlash.
The director of the british museum has provoked anger by suggesting the removal of the parthenon marbles from greece in the 19th century could be seen as a creative act.
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Elgin marbles collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details in the british museum london where they are now called the parthenon sculptures.
She said the elgin marbles were acquired legally with the approval of the ottoman.
Ian jenkins the parthenon sculptures in the british museum british museum press 2007 ian jenkins greek architecture and its sculpture in the british museum british museum press 2006 mary beard the parthenon profile 2002 william st clair lord elgin and the marbles 3rd edition oxford university press 1998.