MADRID.- The National Archaeological Museum in Madrid is presenting two rare Roman-era bronze sculptural groups for the first time since their recovery, offering the public a chance to see works that were looted, sold abroad and later returned to Spain through a long-running police investigation.

The sculptures, dated between the 1st century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D., are now on view in the museum’s Roman Courtyard and can be seen until October 25. The museum said the pieces stand out for their exceptional quality, unusual iconography, remarkable state of preservation and the fact that they have survived intact, including their original bases.

According to the museum, the bronzes were looted from an unidentified archaeological site in southern Spain between 2007 and 2008. Their origin was later concealed, and in 2012 they were auctioned outside Spain. At one point, they were even temporarily deposited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Their return was made possible by an investigation led by the Historical Heritage Brigade of Spain’s National Police, working closely with the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture. The case also involved cooperation from Homeland Security Investigations in the United States, Spain’s Customs Department and the Interior Attaché’s Office of the Spanish Embassy in Switzerland.

That international collaboration led to the repatriation of the works and their deposit at the National Archaeological Museum on December 20, 2025.

The sculptures are considered exceptional examples of Roman bronze work. They were likely made for members of the Roman elite, possibly for display in a luxurious villa. Their intimate subject matter reflects a taste for scenes of everyday life that developed in the Hellenistic period and continued in Roman art, where children were sometimes represented with animals or pets.

Made using the lost-wax technique, the works reveal a high level of technical skill. Details such as the carefully modeled hair and tunics, glass-paste eyes with traces of eyelashes, and the naturalistic treatment of birds’ plumage point to the refinement of the artists who created them.

Their survival is especially significant because bronze was a highly valued material throughout history and many ancient bronze works were melted down and reused. In this case, the sculptural groups have remained complete, making them particularly valuable for both public appreciation and scholarly research.

Since arriving at the museum, the pieces have undergone conservation treatments to stabilize and protect the metal. Specialists have also carried out physical and analytical studies that will help deepen understanding of their materials, techniques and historical context.

The museum said the recovery of the bronzes allows visitors to encounter works that are unique, but also emphasized that the investigation is not over. Scientific and police research continues, with new findings expected to shed further light on the sculptures’ origin, history and significance.