Valuable artifact - what to do

[Anonymous]

I have 2 (significantly older) siblings. When our parents died (20 and 15 years ago) they left us an apartment with some stuff in it. Among the stuff (clothing, pottery, paintings...) is a relatively valuable artifact (worth about 20k but this is not about money - it's just an amazing rare thing that looks great and is a fond memory... it's also large so you see it every day). However, the artifact cannot be sold and cannot leave the country. This is important as all this is happening abroad i.e. none of us lives there.

All of us own other property and we use this common property for visits, vacations... I am thinking about taking the artifact and moving it to my own place (abroad). However, if I ask my siblings t I will draw attention to it so they will take it first. How bad would be the fallout if I just took it?

[Anonymous]

Is this a real question? It will be an epic fall out. It conveys with the property.

[Anonymous]

The word for that is “theft.”

[Anonymous]

Let’s just quit with the dance. You clearly want to say what it is, so fine: what is it?

I’m guessing elephant head.

[Anonymous]

There will be a huge fall out if you take it.

I do question how it can be worth $20k if it can't be sold.

[Anonymous]

Donate it to the local museum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donate it to the local museum.

This. Then split tax benefit among all. You can go visit it.

[Anonymous]

if it cant be sold or cant leave the country, then in all likely hood a museum cant take it nor could it be loaned to the museum for a display since it could be a stolen antiquity. Egypt, for example, all antiquities are considered property of the state, or its something like Ivory.

move it to you place. whats the worst that could happen. you just piss off your family.

[Anonymous]

Shady AF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shady AF.

+1
This has black market written all over it.

[Anonymous]

I’d be very careful with that some countries have very specific laws about whether or not their cultural heritage artifacts can leave the country while they may not mind them being displayed in a private residence there may be certain restrictions as stiff penalties are not prepared to deal with or maybe under estimated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shady AF.

+1
This has black market written all over it.

I have a feeling it's an antiquities. It's large and impressive. And restricted from exporting, which you find in most countries. Something shady is going on, methinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shady AF.

+1
This has black market written all over it.

Absolutely.

I'm guessing it has something to do with illegally poaching animals.

[Anonymous]

I’m guessing it’s something ivory? You’ll never be able to sell it, so it’s worth nothing.

[Anonymous]

If it can't leave the country, how do you plan on moving it abroad?