British Museum to display stolen items to ‘take ownership of story’
THE British Museum is putting 10 of the items that had been stolen from it on display to the public.
The Rediscovering Gems exhibition, beginning this month, will also show more than 500 objects that were not caught up in the thefts.
All the previously stolen items will be in their own showcase and clearly labelled. These include a Roman first-century profile bust of the goddess Minerva/athena and a glass cameo with bust of the god Cupid/eros.
George Osborne, the chairman of the board of trustees at the British Museum, said: “We promised we’d show the world the gems that were stolen and recovered rather than hide them away.
“It’s another example of culture change under way at the British Museum as we open up and take ownership of our own story.”
The former chancellor had told the culture, media and sport committee in October that the items would be displayed, saying it has the “makings of a good exhibition”.
Hundreds of stolen objects have been returned after the museum disclosed in August that the items, later revealed to number about 2,000, were missing, stolen or damaged from its collection.
Tom Harrison, keeper of the museum’s department of Greece and Rome, said: “We are delighted to be able to put on this exhibition and showcase some of the stunning recovered gems which are safely back in the museum’s collection.
“It’s also an interesting opportunity to cast some light on an underappreciated and very beautiful art form.
“A huge thanks goes out to all those who have lent support and helped us in the recovery programme.”
The ancient Mediterranean objects were used as seals, jewellery or collected and sought after by royalty and aristocrats, according to the museum.
Items will be displayed in a gem cabinet reflective of the 18th century when they were popular.
The museum is working with the Metropolitan Police Service and an international group of experts in gems, collection history and art loss recovery to locate the remaining missing items.
This recovery team, dealers and members of the public have helped return the items.
In September the museum launched a web page which gave details of the losses and information about how to report them.
When the thefts were disclosed, the museum said an unnamed member of staff was sacked and it was taking legal action.
In the wake of the controversy, Hartwig Fischer, a German art historian and British Museum director, resigned and Sir Mark Jones, the former V&A Museum director, was appointed in the interim. Mr Fischer said the museum did not respond “comprehensively” when it was warned of the thefts in 2021 and Sir Mark has since pledged to restore its reputation. A job advertisement for the next British Museum director closed at the end of last month.
Rediscovering Gems will run from Feb 15 to June 15 in room three at the museum.