The objects were removed from the parthenon at athens and from other ancient buildings and shipped to england by arrangement of thomas bruce 7th lord elgin who was british.
British museum elgin marbles controversy.
The elgin marbles are still one of the most popular displays at the british museum getty it seems unlikely that several hundred tonnes of marble from mount pentelicus near athens could have a.
Elgin marbles collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details in the british museum london where they are now called the parthenon sculptures.
Lord elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the british museum in 1811 but negotiations failed despite the support of british artists after the government.
The british museum thinks it best to house the elgin marbles in an international context where cultures can be compared and contrasted across time and place.
The elgin marbles are a source of controversy between modern britain and greece it s a collection of stone pieces rescued removed from the ruins of the ancient greek parthenon in the nineteenth century and now in demand to be sent back from the british museum to greece.
The british defend their ownership of the marbles based on greece s lack of an adequate museum and the fact that they paid for the pieces mcguigan 2.
Even if the treasures were returned to athens many more of the original sculptures are lost forever meaning the set will never be complete.
When the marbles were shipped to england they were an instant success among many who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival but both the sculptures and elgin also received criticism from detractors.
The elgin marbles refer to a collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details dating back to the fifth century bc which are currently kept in the british museum london.
Today much controversy surrounds the ownership elgin marbles both the british and greeks argue that each have legal and moral claim over the parliament s marble adornments.
In 1801 a british nobleman stripped the parthenon of many of its sculptures and took them to england.
Controversy over their acquisition by the british museum continues to this day.