Tiles from Sultan's tomb returned to Iran

Date: 31st May 2009

The tiles from a Sultan's tomb

Officers from the Met's Arts and Antiques Unit will today, return hundreds of decorative tiles, which once adorned an ancient tomb, to the Iranian Government.

The tiles - which together make up a panel - were ripped from the walls of the tomb of Sultan Shihab al-Din Sultan Ahmad, in the village of Dyla, in northern Iran.

They were sent for auction at Bonham's Auction House, New Bond Street however experts became suspicious of their origins and alerted the Art & Antiques Unit.

The unit conducted a thorough investigation in co-operation with the Cultural Property Unit in Iran. Photographs of the tiles in situ together with photographs taken following the theft helped to positively identify them.

A collector who bought the tiles in "good faith" from a dealer in Dubai has assisted the police and has released his title claim on the objects.

The tiles will be handed over to the Iranian Embassy in London this afternoon.

They will eventually be returned to Dyla.

Investigating officer DS Vernon Rapley said: "It is very satisfying to know that these valuable cultural objects will once again be displayed within the tomb from which they were so callously taken.

"We are very grateful for the close co-operation of the Iranian Embassy in London and the Cultural officials who assisted our investigation in Tehran"

Source: Metropolitian Police

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