France confirms 6 Thai art pieces in museum theft

Six priceless art pieces gifted by King Rama IV to French emperor Napoleon III were stolen from the Chinese Museum at the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France on Sunday, the Culture Ministry says.

Earlier reports only mentioned a replica crown being among 15 art pieces stolen.

Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said yesterday he has been in contact with the Thai embassy in France and received confirmation that 20 valuable pieces were stolen by two thieves who broke into the museum located 55km southeast of Paris.

Of the stolen articles, six came from the King of Siam.

They were the replica of the royal crown, a sword commissioned in Japan, a jug, a tray and two pairs of scissors. The ornate crown was studded with precious stones that included 233 diamonds and 2,298 rubies.

The items were gifts King Rama IV sent to French emperor, Napoleon III, in 1861.

The ministry earlier said the stolen items were assembled by Empress Eugenie, wife of the emperor.

On the ground floor of the chateau’s Gros Pavilion, she built a small museum containing the gifts from King Rama IV and works of art taken during the pillage of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Mr Vira said the museum has provided French authorities with descriptions of the stolen objects.

He said Thais were saddened by the theft and hoped French investigators would apprehend the two thieves soon.

French investigators have alerted Interpol and hope to prevent the stolen pieces from being taken out of France.

The ministry said the thieves struck at one of the most secure areas of the Chateau de Fontainebleau, a former residence for French monarchs.