A charitable organisation has returned a set of Hopi artefacts to the tribe following a controversial sale at the Eve Auction House in Paris.
The Anneberg Foundation paid a total of $530,000 for 24 Native American masks, which will be returned to the Hopi Nation in Arizona, and the San Carlos Apache.
 The masks represent the spirits of tribal ancestors |
The masks, which are considered sacred by the tribes, were taken in the early 20th century.
Under a UNESCO treaty ratified in 1970, the tribes have a right to determine ownership of cultural artefacts.
The auction house contested the plea, arguing that banning the sale would have far-reaching implications for the indigenous art market.
The controversy began earlier this year, when another sale of Hopi artefacts in Paris realised $1.2m. A handful of buyers subsequently returned a number of the masks.
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