'Stolen Fragments' and 'Plunder?': Scholars and Smugglers.

Two books delve into the controversies surrounding the acquisition of antiquities by curators and collectors, focusing on the Museum of the Bible funded by the Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby. Roberta Mazza's "Stolen Fragments" details the museum's acquisition of objects from illicit sources, leading to a scandal involving seized artifacts and forgeries. Justin M. Jacobs' "Plunder?" challenges the narrative of imperial theft in museum collections, arguing that many works were acquired through diplomacy or market purchases. Both books raise questions about the ethics of collecting and the impact on cultural heritage. [Extracted from the article]