From Naples to Charlotte

A 350-year-old statue disappeared from a Naples church in an elaborate heist of artifacts nearly two decades ago.

Italian officials said they lost a national treasure.

The intricately carved bust of St. Innocent traveled from Italy to France -- losing its head in the journey -- before finding its way to the private home of a Charlotte couple, where it was seized by federal officials.

It will be returned to Italy this month, federal officials announced Thursday.

"I've never heard of this happening anywhere other than some big-time story in New York," said Neal Johnson, the Charlotte dealer who purchased the item from a Greensboro dealer and then sold it to the Charlotte couple. "You don't always know the lineage of pieces you buy."

The bust, by 17th-century Franciscan artist Diego da Careri, is made of wood and painted gold. It was part of a set of busts displayed at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci.

In November 1990, someone stole the statue, 16 similar busts and two oil paintings.

St. Innocent was born in Albano, Italy, and became pope in December 401, according to Catholic Online.

Two years ago, authorities in Rome contacted U.S. Customs and Enforcement officials with information that an Italian citizen had sold a similar wooden statue to an antiques dealer from Greensboro.

ICE tracked down the buyer as the owner of Caroline Faison Antiques, which specializes in 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century antiques. She purchased it at an antiques fair in France, Johnson said.

Johnson said there are similar fairs throughout Europe and Scandinavia where people go to buy and sell all types of centuries-old artifacts.

A man who answered the phone at Caroline Faison Antiques, but would not give his name, said the statue was purchased from a dealer. He said they did not know the bust was stolen, nor had they ever purchased stolen antiques in the past.

"Never happened before in 43 years," he said.

Johnson, the Charlotte dealer, specializes in antique lamps, but said she fell in love with the bust.

She purchased it from Caroline Faison and later sold it at her uptown shop to the Charlotte couple.

ICE contacted Johnson last year to see if she recognized pictures of the stolen items. She said the paint was almost gone, but she recognized the form of the bust.

When she realized it was stolen, she said she immediately bought the statue back from her customer and gave it to federal agents. Johnson said she did not get her money back from Faison, nor did she ask.

Using documents and photos, ICE and Italian authorities confirmed authenticity of the statue last week.

Officials said the investigation into the original heist continues. Brandon Montgomery, ICE spokesman, said no Americans have been charged. There is no evidence they knew they were buying a stolen item.

"A lot of times, what happens is the person who is knowingly stealing something puts it in the black market," he said. "It can go through three or four hands before it gets to the first legitimate buyer, so to speak."

The statue lost much of its value because of extensive damage. In addition to the head's being removed, a part of the cross the saint carried was missing and much of the paint had deteriorated. ICE research indicated the current value at about $27,000.

Once the statue is returned, it will be placed back on the altar of Santa Maria degli Angeli alle Croci.