Shockwaves reverberated through the art world as news emerged that stolen items from the esteemed British Museum were being offered for sale on eBay at a fraction of their estimated value. At least one artifact, valued at up to $63,800 (£50,000), was listed on the e-commerce platform for as little as $51 (£40), according to a report by the Telegraph.
The museum’s recent announcement on August 16 revealed that a collection of small items, including “gold jewelry and gems of semi-precious stones and glass” dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century, had gone missing or were stolen. These pieces were primarily held for academic and research purposes and had not been on public display. It was noted that some of the missing items had surfaced on eBay listings since 2016, raising concerns of internal theft.
In 2016, an eBay listing showcased a Roman jewelry piece made from semi-precious onyx stone, with an initial price of £40. The auction failed to attract any bids, even though experts estimated its true value to range between $31,890 and $63,780 (£25,000 and £50,000).
The discovery of the stolen and missing artifacts prompted the British Museum to initiate an independent review of its security protocols. Furthermore, the museum declared its intention to pursue legal action against a former staff member while confirming that the Metropolitan Police’s Economic Crime Command was conducting an investigation into the matter.
Recent developments saw the Times of London and the Daily Telegraph identify Peter Higgs, the museum’s Greek antiquities curator, as the dismissed staff member. Higgs had been with the institution for over three decades, contributing significantly to exhibitions and academic works. His family staunchly defended his innocence and expressed his deep distress over losing his esteemed position.
Ironically, Higgs had previously served as an expert in a case involving a trafficked artifact. He assisted UK customs officials and the British Museum in identifying a seized 2,000-year-old marble statue of a Greek goddess at Heathrow Airport in 2013. The statue was subsequently repatriated to Libya in 2021.
The alarming incident has reignited debates about the security of invaluable cultural artifacts and the need for robust safeguards within prominent institutions. The episode underscores the challenges posed by the intersection of antiquities, technology, and criminal activity in the modern age, prompting a renewed call for vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard our shared cultural heritage.
