Chinese artefacts with an estimated combined value of £2m ($3.2m) have been stolen from Durham University’s Oriental Museum, authorities said on Saturday.
Durham police said two men and a woman from the West Midlands area have been arrested in connection with the Thursday night theft, but the items have not yet been recovered.
Priceless Artefacts
The northern England-based university confirmed that two “priceless” artefacts were stolen when thieves broke into a ground-floor gallery at the museum: A large jade bowl with a Chinese poem written inside that dates back to 1769, and a Dehua porcelain sculpture.
“We are extremely upset to have fallen victim to such a serious crime,” said Craig Barclay, the museum’s curator, in a statement.
“The two pieces are highly significant in that they are fine examples of artefacts from the Qing Dynasty.”
Police said in a statement that they are still trying to locate “several outstanding suspects”. The museum will be closed until further notice, the university said.
– AP
Also view:
How can we stop the increase in theft of art?
I need art insurance but is my art worth insuring?
Is your art insured against pothole damage during transport?
What are the most important questions to ask when insuring art?
Artists at KKNK are aware of the need to insure fine art!
