Hundreds of stolen pieces are recovered

The British Museum has recovered 268 more missing objects following thefts at the institution. The museum announced 626 items, out of around 1,500 missing or stolen objects, have been found across the world – including Europe and North America – and taken back to be housed in London.

A last update from the museum in February stated that more than 350 artefacts had been returned after the objects – which included classical Greek and Roman gems and jewellery – were taken.

Chairman of the British Museum trustees and former chancellor George Osborne said: “Few expected to see this day, and even I had my doubts.

“When we announced the devastating news that objects had been stolen from our collection, people understandably assumed that was it – we were unlikely to ever see more than a handful of them again.

“That’s usually the history with thefts like this.

“But the team at the British Museum refused to give up. Through clever detective work and a network of well-wishers we’ve achieved a remarkable result: more than 600 of the objects are back with us, and a further 100 have been identified.

“It’s a great result but we’re not resting here – the hunt goes on for the remaining missing objects.”

There are also around 500 artefacts that have been damaged, which includes an estimated 350 objects having gold removed and around 140 being harmed by tools.

Following the furore over the thefts being disclosed last August, the director of the museum Hartwig Fischer resigned.

In March, outgoing National Portrait Gallery director Nicholas Cullinan was announced as the permanent director of the British Museum.

The institution is continuing to display some of the recovered gems to the public through the exhibition Rediscovering Gems until June 15 in room three.

Legal proceedings were launched in March against former curator Dr Peter Higgs, who was dismissed in July last year.

Dr Higgs, who worked within the Department of Greece and Rome for more than 30 years, did not attend the court hearing due to poor health.

It heard he intends to dispute the claim and Mrs Justice Heather Williams ordered him to return any stolen items he may have.

THEFTS: Up to 1,500 precious artefacts were stolen from the British Museum.