In July 1986, Prof Dr Hannfrit Putzer, honorary professor of geology at the University of Hanover, offered this early Corinthian jug from the 6th century BC to the director of the Kestner Museum. He explained that he had „recovered“ it during an excavation by German pioneers for a naval gun in 1943 at the southern end of the Corinth Canal on the steep coast to the Saronic Gulf.
What he concealed, however, was his own role as a military geologist, war administrator and SS-Obersturmführer in the army high command of the German occupying forces in Greece. Between 15 May and 30 November 1943, he carried out geological surveys and borehole on the Peloponnese, in Attica and on the islands of Aegina, Kythera, Zakynthos and Cephalonia. In this respect, the question arises as to whether he found the can during his own drilling. In any case, he travelled to Aegina from 20 to 30 November 1943 and had the jug dated and examined there by the German archaeologist Gabriel Welter. He took the jug with him to Germany during the furlough that immediately followed.
This confiscation of Greek cultural artefacts was a violation of the Hague Regulations. Based on the results of this research, the Hanover City Council therefore decided to restitute the ancient jug to its rightful owner, the Hellenic Republic. After 81 years of unlawful appropriation, the ceremonial restitution took place st the museum on 8 April 2024 in the presence of the Greek Consul General. (J. Schwartz)
