Five people arrested in connection with the theft of two Chinese artifacts from Durham University’s Oriental Museum last week have been released on bail until June pending further enquiries.
An 18th-century jade bowl and a Dehua porcelain figurine were taken in the raid and have not yet been recovered. Their total value is estimated at around £2m.
The items, which date from the Qing dynasty period (1644-1911), were removed from the museum’s Malcolm MacDonald gallery last Thursday. Local press reports state that an alarm was triggered around 10.40pm after the burglars created an entry hole in the wall of the museum.
Police believe the intruders were only inside the museum for a matter of minutes.
Detective superintendent Adrian Green of Durham Constabulary said: “I am sure this job has been planned for quite some time, and I would think the artifacts have been stolen to order for someone who has already identified a potential market.”
The market for Chinese art is currently fuelled by collectors from China, who are buying back imperial treasures.
The museum is closed until further notice. Anyone with information about the burglary should call police on 101 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Update
13.04.2012
Durham University’s Oriental Museum will reopen on 16 April. In a statement the university said damage caused during the burglary had been repaired.
It added that it was working with the police on their enquiries and that security measures at the museum were under constant review but declined to comment on specific security arrangements.
Update
16.04.2012
Durham Constabulary confirmed that it had recovered the items. In a statement, it said: "[The artefacts] are being retained as exhibits at this time and arrangements are being made for them to be examined by experts to assess whether they have been damaged in any way."
An 18th-century jade bowl and a Dehua porcelain figurine were taken in the raid and have not yet been recovered. Their total value is estimated at around £2m.
The items, which date from the Qing dynasty period (1644-1911), were removed from the museum’s Malcolm MacDonald gallery last Thursday. Local press reports state that an alarm was triggered around 10.40pm after the burglars created an entry hole in the wall of the museum.
Police believe the intruders were only inside the museum for a matter of minutes.
Detective superintendent Adrian Green of Durham Constabulary said: “I am sure this job has been planned for quite some time, and I would think the artifacts have been stolen to order for someone who has already identified a potential market.”
The market for Chinese art is currently fuelled by collectors from China, who are buying back imperial treasures.
The museum is closed until further notice. Anyone with information about the burglary should call police on 101 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Update
13.04.2012
Durham University’s Oriental Museum will reopen on 16 April. In a statement the university said damage caused during the burglary had been repaired.
It added that it was working with the police on their enquiries and that security measures at the museum were under constant review but declined to comment on specific security arrangements.
Update
16.04.2012
Durham Constabulary confirmed that it had recovered the items. In a statement, it said: "[The artefacts] are being retained as exhibits at this time and arrangements are being made for them to be examined by experts to assess whether they have been damaged in any way."