Laura Young, an antique dealer in Austin, stumbled upon a marble portrait bust at a Goodwill in 2018, suspecting its ancient Roman origin.

After contacting auction houses, she was informed that the bust might be stolen, traced back to a collection in Germany. With legal assistance, she navigated the return process, eventually arranging for a museum loan to the San Antonio Museum of Art. The story unexpectedly went viral in 2022, leading to international media coverage and a surge in public interest in thrifting, cultural heritage law, and art history. Despite the chaos, Laura's efforts shed light on important issues surrounding looted art and museum practices.

Via Tiny Talks.