Elie Borowski

Elie Borowski founded the Biblical Lands Museum in Jerusalem, in 1992. A collector of Antiquities, Middle Eastern and other, he became an expert on ancient art. He moved around Europe, eventually becoming a Research Associate at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada. He established himself as a leading dealer in his specialty as he divided his time between Canada and Switzerland. He eventually moved to Basel, Switzerland to become an antiquities dealer.

According the the Provenance list from the Merrin Gallery, Elie Borowski purchased the amphora from Pinot Donati in Switzerland, where the amphora was assumed to be. There is no account of Elie Borowski moving the amphora, however his collection was often housed with him, suggesting that the amphora was brought to Canada.

Elie Borowski's name has been negatively effected in recent years because of the discovery of evidence surrounding his alleged involvement of the illegal excavating and trafficking of antiquities. Borowski's name was written on a sheet of paper connecting him to the other individuals, (Marion True and Robert E. Hecht), indicted by the Italian government for the conspiracy to traffic in illicit antiquities.

Text Sources:

Merrin, Edward. Edward Merrin to Roberta Olson, New York, NY, March 24, 1981.

"Obituary 1 -- no Title." New York Times (1923-Current File), Jan 17, 2003.

Ajayi, Akin. "Treasures from a Shared Heritage." Essence (2008):52-54.

"Antiquities Collector Elie Borowski, 89, Dies." ArtDaily.org, http://artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=3761&b=kunsthistorisches#.Uycdc_mPGSq (Accessed March 17, 2014).

Watson, Peter. The Medici Conspiracy: The Illicit Journey of Looted Antiquities, From Italy’s Tomb Raiders to the World’s Greatest Museums. New York, NY: BBS Public Affairs, 2006.

Image Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bible_Lands_Museum_Jerusalem.JPG, Accessed April 03, 2014.