Stealing from a thief
30 May 2024
Almost 2,000 items have been reported missing, damaged or stolen by the British Museum, with the prime suspect being a (now former) staff member. Among the stolen items are rare gemstones and golden frames. The thief allegedly targeted unregistered items from the museum’s storeroom, before selling the loot on eBay over a ten-year period. And the hero of the hour? A Danish antiques dealer-turned-detective. Dr. Gradel blew the whistle back in 2021 after having recognised the items online as those belonging to the museum.
 | Danny Callaghan The irony is that almost everything worth seeing in the British Museum was stolen in the first place. Prized artefacts in the museum’s collection include the Rosetta Stone, Benin Bronzes and two Maoi – all plundered during the height of British colonialism. |
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