An ancient idol of an Indian goddess that was missing from a temple in Uttar Pradesh, presumably stolen more than 40 years ago, was discovered in a garden in a country home in England will be returned to India soon.
The Yogini, which refers to the divine feminine in Hinduism is as old as the 8th century was missing from the village of Lokhari in Banda district during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The Indian High Commission in London confirmed this week that formalities regarding the idol’s return to India are being finalised and the home country will receive the idol of the goddess within a few months’ time.
“High Commission of India in London is making all out efforts to bring back the identified Yogini,” said Jaspreet Singh Sukhija, First Secretary, Trade and Economics, who has been liaising on the restitution of the sculpture.
“Most of the formalities are completed and we are in the final lap for bringing the artefact home. Chris Marinello and Mr Vijay Kumar have played a very important role in helping in the identification of the artefact a couple of months back. You would soon see the Yogini being handed over to the High Commission and restored to its full glory,” he said.
Marinello, a lawyer and Founder of Art Recovery International came to know about the goat-headed sculpture when an unnamed elderly woman was selling her country home in the UK after the demise of her husband.
“She was selling the home and the contents, which included some very valuable antiques. As part of the due diligence process, we were contacted to research and investigate this artwork found in her garden. She had purchased the house over 15 years ago and this was already in the garden,” explained Marinello.
Later, Marinello contacted Vijay Kumar, Co-Founder of the India Pride Project, an organisation that works on restoring the lost artefacts of India, who was able to identify the idol in the garden as the Yogini, that went missing from India’s Uttar Pradesh.
“I negotiated an unconditional release with the possessor, who was very cooperative. It was in my home office in London for a short period of time, and Vijay promised that she would watch over me during this process,” recalls Marinello.
The Yogini’s journey to its home country has been a long one including a mysterious diversion when it emerged in the auction circuit over 30 years ago. Interestingly, Marinello has restored many such rare stolen or missing artefacts and sent them to their original home country. Currently, he is working on the restitution of another idol found in Italy.
“Many western collectors, dealers, and auction houses look at these artworks as an asset to admire, but ultimately profit from. However, before they were looted from less fortunate local populations, these idols were worshipped and helped people connect with their god and their beliefs. This is infinitely more important than auction house commissions or dealer profits,” he said.
“When I see images of the Indian people rejoicing upon the repatriation of these idols, I know what it means to them. In a way, these gods do seem to find their way home. I just help them along a little bit,” he added.
