The Geometric period bronze figure of a horse carried an estimate of $150,000- 250,000 before it was withdrawn from sale.
Cases disputing the rightful ownership of antiquities have become common in recent years with nations including Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Iran and Iraq seeking repatriation of objects in private or public ownership in Europe and the US.
Last week the Greek ministry of culture won a court ruling over Sotheby’s regarding the ownership of an 8th century BC Geometric period bronze, one of more than 1000 known, that was offered for sale in May 2018 with an estimate of $150,000-250,000.