File photo: The National Archaeological Museum, Athens, in August 2025. Photo: Wozart, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Antiquities Donation Brings Cycladic Figurines to National Archaeological Museum

by · Greek City Times

ATHENS, November 2026 — Collector Panina Karpida-Razou handed an antiquities donation of 20 objects and two post-Byzantine icons to the Greek state at the National Archaeological Museum on Thursday.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni attended the ceremony in the museum’s Altar Hall.

The 20 objects will join the permanent collections of the National Archaeological Museum, while the two icons will go to the Byzantine and Christian Museum.

This antiquities donation covers a wide span of time, from the Early Cycladic period to Roman times.

Read more: Greece Signs Plan to Restore Zappeion Gardens Statues and Ruins

It belongs to a wider effort, Mendoni said. Between 2019 and 2026, private donations returned more than 31,000 antiquities to public view.

However, that figure does not include cultural property repatriated from abroad, Mendoni said. She called the gift an act of generosity and responsibility.

“Her decision to make the family collection available […] allows the precious records of our history to be accessible to all,” Mendoni said.

Antiquities donation highlights

Among the oldest pieces is a schematic Early Cycladic I marble figurine (3200–2800 BC). In addition, the antiquities donation includes two marble bowls and two marble figurines from Early Cycladic II (2800–2300 BC).

A schematic marble figurine of human form from the Early Bronze Age II (2800–2300 BC) also features. Bronze jewellery from the Geometric–Archaic period, between the ninth and seventh centuries BC, is part of the collection as well.

Similarly, a bronze omphalos bowl dates from the Archaic–Classical period, between the seventh and fourth centuries BC.

Two terracotta female busts from a Boeotian workshop date from the late fifth or early fourth century BC. Also from the fourth century BC are two gilded terracotta plaques showing a griffin in relief.

Finally, the Roman objects in the antiquities donation include a bronze helmet and a bronze figurine of Hermes. They date from the first century BC to the first century AD.

Post-Byzantine icons and provenance

Both post-Byzantine icons will enter the collections of the Byzantine and Christian Museum.

One shows St John the Baptist, from the 16th century, while the other depicts the Descent into Hades, from the 18th century.

Konstantinos Karpidas, the donor’s father, received the objects in 1987 as a gift from the collector Alexander Iolas. Later, in 1989, a Culture Ministry decision passed the collection to his daughter.

Earlier, Greek City Times reported that 86 ancient artefacts returned to Greece from abroad in a voluntary handover in 2025. At the same time, the museum is preparing an extension, with final designs by David Chipperfield approved in October.

Mendoni thanked Karpida-Razou for the antiquities donation, as well as all private collectors who support the effort. “With their initiatives they strengthen our collective memory,” she said.

Source: Kathimerini

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