The British Museum is set to release an independent review of stolen artifacts, which is expected to recommend improved security measures and record-keeping. Over the course of nearly 30 years, approximately 1,500 items, including jewelry, sculpture fragments, and pottery, went missing from the museum, while another 350 artifacts had portions removed. The review, led by Lucy D’Orsi, chief constable of the British Transport Police, Sir Nigel Boardman, a former British Museum board member, and lawyer Ian Karet, was discussed by museum trustees, including chairman George Osborne, at a recent board meeting. The recommendations are anticipated to be published this week and are likely to call for tighter security protocols and enhanced record-keeping procedures.
The investigation into the thefts is ongoing, with police interviewing a suspect under caution in August. No arrests have been made thus far. In response to the situation, Sir Mark Jones, the British Museum’s interim director, has implemented a series of changes, including stricter access to strongrooms and an expedited effort to digitize the museum’s records. The recovery team, led by D’Orsi and Boardman, has made progress in locating missing items, with 351 pieces returned and the whereabouts of another 300 identified. However, it is unlikely that the portions removed from certain artifacts will ever be recovered, as they are likely to have been melted down.
The thefts remained undetected for an extended period due in part to incomplete cataloging, which made it difficult for museum personnel to notice when items went missing. Curators had to rely on outdated paper records that had to be cross-referenced with the contents of vaults. The British Museum’s reputation suffered a blow when the thefts were first revealed, leading to the resignation of its director, Hartwig Fischer, who acknowledged failings in the museum’s response. Additionally, a senior curator was dismissed from his position, although his family maintains his innocence.
The discovery of the thefts came about when art historian Ittai Gradel spotted items from the British Museum collection being sold online. Dr. Gradel initially alerted the museum in February 2021 but claimed his concerns were not taken seriously. Eventually, he brought the matter directly to George Osborne’s attention, prompting an inquiry to be launched. As part of the recovery efforts, the museum is seeking court orders to gain access to confidential online transaction records from platforms such as eBay and PayPal.
Julian Radcliffe, founder of the Art Loss Register, which assists in recovering lost, stolen, and looted art, has been aiding the British Museum’s recovery efforts. Radcliffe has reported significant progress in tracking down the dispersed items, many of which are believed to have been sold at low prices. The museum aims to learn from the review’s findings and improve its response to similar allegations or concerns regarding the loss or damage of objects in the future. The British Museum is scheduled to publish the review’s recommendations this week, marking a crucial step in addressing the issue of stolen artifacts and implementing measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
