Amsterdam’s archaeological Allard Pierson museum is in the middle of a complicated legal wrangle about what to do with a collection of precious items from museums in Crimea loaned for an exhibition.

The museum, part of the University of Amsterdam, is currently staging a show entitled ‘The Crimea – Gold and the secrets of the Black Sea’. It features what the museum says is ‘spectacular archaeological finds’ including gold items, a scabbard and a ceremonial helmet, and countless precious gems.

The items have been loaned by five different Ukrainian museums. However, Russia’s annexation of Crimea has created a legal dispute between Moscow and Kiev about the treasures, according to Dutch media reports.

Russia says the items should be returned to the museums which loaned them but some in Ukraine say Kiev is the rightful owner. 

‘It is a complicated legal situation,’ the university said in a statement. ‘Our lawyers are looking at the issues and we have also asked the foreign ministry for advice.’

The exhibition runs until May 14.