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A sarcophagus slab, around which was to center negotiations leading up to a unique international exchange of all objects, was presented to the Fogg Museum in 1926.
This stone, obtained through the generosity of A. Kingsley Porter, William Dorr Boardman Professor of Fine Arts at that time, was from the Sahagun Tomb of Alfenso, tutor of King Alfenso VI, who reigned from 1072 to 1109. It is considered to be the most ancient example of European sepulchral sculpture which remains from the middle ages.
Exchange Desired
In 1931, the Duke of Alba intimated to an American Scholar who visited him while travelling through Spain, that the government wished to have certain art objects of national importance returned, among which was the Fogg sarcophagus. In return, the Spanish government would give other works of art of equal intrinsic value. This plan, however, was purely unofficial, and before the Duke was able to accomplish anything more definite, his king had been overthrown by the revolution.
After that, letters which contained similar proposals were received by the Fogg with considerable regularity, but in each instance, the Spanish government changed hands before any definite arrangement could be arrived at.
Exchange Effected
Finally, by 1933, the political situation had become more stable, and on July 8, an exchange was finally effected. In place of the sarcophagus slab, the Fogg received a marble column from a monastery in Santiago, a double capital from a thirteenth century monastery in Palencia, some ancient Spanish pottery and 24 small bronze figures. The latter were found in a sanctuary near a mining district and may have been votive offerings to the gods of minerals.
Fogg Wins Praise
For this broad-minded action, the Fogg won praise from the Office of Museums of the League of Nations and the following genuine, if a bit confused expression of gratitude in a letter from the Director of the Museo Arqueologico Nacional de Madrid:
"The exceptional act of your gift, makes express to the Government, as genuine interpreter of the feelings of Spain, its best thanks.
"The arrival of such a valuable stone shall mark a memorial date for the culture friendship between the museums of the world."
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