A collection of stolen Japanese art has been returned back to its country of origin following a surprising discovery by a family in Massachusetts.
The family stumbled upon the artefacts and promptly alerted the authorities after searching through their late father’s attic.
It has been described by experts as “highly valuable Asian art” and the children were left stunned as their father never served in the Pacific theatre during World War II.
Special Agent Geoffrey J. Kelly, part of the FBI Art Crime Team in Boston, said the findings include scrolls, pottery pieces, and even an ancient map, all showing signs of age and significance.
It was revealed that some of the scrolls were listed in the FBI’s National Stolen Art File nearly two decades ago. The recovered items comprised six intricately painted scrolls dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, along with a detailed hand-drawn map from the 19th century depicting Okinawa, Japan’s fifth largest island. Additionally, the collection featured various pottery and ceramics, including plates, bowls and teapots.