- British Museum seeks public help.
- Recovering lost antiquities.
- International pressure for returns.
The British Museum is reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying and recovering missing antiquities from its collection.
After nearly 2,000 artifacts were reported as “missing, stolen, or damaged” over an extended period. An employee was terminated, and a police investigation was launched last month.
Most of these items consist of ancient Greek and Roman gems and jewelry. The museum has released images of similar items for reference.
Currently, sixty objects have been returned, with an additional 300 items identified for imminent return.
To locate the remaining missing pieces, the museum has published descriptions and images of these objects on its website.
If you suspect you possess or have possessed items from the British Museum or have relevant information, please get in touch with us.
Apart from ancient Greek and Roman gems, the collection includes rings, earrings, and other jewelry items, some dating back to the Late Bronze Age.
The museum is collaborating with an international council of experts to identify and recover these items. Additionally, it has registered them with the Art Loss Register.
Director of recoveries at the Art Loss Register James Ratcliffe stressed the museum’s cautious balance between sharing recovery information to the public and eliminating exploitable detail.
The museum has initiated an independent security evaluation and will oversee recovery efforts.
Lucy D’Orsi, chief constable of the British Transport Police and co-chair of the review, has commended the British Museum staff for their hard work and dedication.
Following the loss of these treasures, the British Museum’s director, Hartwig Fischer, resigned.
