FBI agents have recovered a stolen 17th-century Italian reliquary urn and returned it to Italian authorities in a formal ceremony, ending a search that began when the artifact was discovered missing in 2022.

The religious artifact, which dates back centuries, was found in the possession of a New England antiques dealer. Federal investigators tracked down the item as part of ongoing efforts to recover stolen cultural heritage objects.

Reliquary urns are religious containers traditionally used to hold sacred relics in Christian churches and institutions. The recovered piece represents part of Italy's significant cultural and religious heritage.

The FBI's Art Crime Team regularly works with international partners to locate and return stolen cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. The formal return ceremony marked the successful conclusion of the investigation into this particular theft.

The recovery comes amid broader concerns about the protection of cultural heritage items, particularly religious artifacts from churches and historical sites across Europe. Italian authorities have not disclosed additional details about the circumstances of the original theft or the investigation that led to its recovery.