‘Red List’ details endangered art

In an effort to stem the tide of looting and illicit trafficking of Latin America’s artistic heritage, the International Council of Museums has issued a guidebook, “Red List: Latin-American Cultural Objects at Risk.”

The 68-page publication -- released Thursday at a press conference in Washington conducted by the American Assn. of Museums -- contains 25 examples of the types of objects most likely to be stolen.

The list is intended to help customs and law enforcement officials, dealers and collectors identify objects illegally removed from churches and archeological sites and to raise public awareness of the problem. Developed by an international group of museum and heritage professionals, the guide will be distributed by Interpol and the World Customs Organization. It is also available on the International Council of Museums’ website, icom.museum/redlist.

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Suzanne Muchnic