Tholos Talks | The Dark Side of the Art Market: The Illicit Trade
with Tess Davis | Hosted by Deborah Lehr
April 21, 2025
Understanding the Thriving Trade in Looted Antiquities, Episode #2
In episode two of Understanding the Thriving Trade in Looted Antiquities — a Tholos Talks series that explores the global repercussions of the antiquities trade — Deborah sits down with Tess Davis, Executive Director of The Antiquities Coalition, to examine the implications of cultural racketeering and discuss strategies for preserving our shared history. The conversation covers ethical challenges faced by institutions, the impact of looted antiquities on global security, the role of museums in addressing this issue, and other key insights from Tess’s extensive experience in combating cultural racketeering.
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This episode is brought to you by the Basilinna Institute.
About Our Guest
Tess Davis is the Executive Director of the Antiquities Coalition, a “think and do” tank committed to ensuring the trade in ancient art and artifacts is legal and ethical. A lawyer and archaeologist by training, her works spans from crime scenes to courtrooms, to expose how stolen cultural treasures fund organized crime, terrorism, and war. Her efforts in uncovering a major criminal network linked to the Khmer Rouge earned her knighthood from the Royal Government of Cambodia. Read the full bio here.
Featured In
‘Indiana Jane’ and the Looted Temples of Koh Ker
Spectacular Art Heist - The Sotheby's Scandal - The Stolen Warriors
Sotheby’s Returns Looted 10th Century Statue to Cambodia
The Scourge of Looting: Trafficking Antiquities, from Temple to Museum
About Our Host
Deborah Lehr is the CEO of Basilinna, a strategic advisory firm, and founder and Chair of the Antiquities Coalition. She has spoken globally on issues related to cultural heritage. Previously...read the full bio here.
About the Show
Tholos Talks, a series following the spirit of the tholos circle, where Ancient Greek intellectuals gathered to debate the issues of the day. Through deep insight and thought-provoking dialogue, we offer the tools to decode complexity and illuminate the path forward.
Tholos Talks is a Basilinna Institute produced podcast.
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