A tear-shaped glass-cut finial was stolen from Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) last month.
CCTV images taken by the museum’s security system show a man entering the premises and leaning over a barrier before unscrewing the finial, which topped a 19th-century cut-glass stand made by Birmingham company F&C Ostler.
Simon Cane, BMAG’s interim director, said: “This is very upsetting as we have lost a piece from a unique part of Birmingham’s history.
“The piece taken is of little value on its own, but the loss detracts from the look of this fantastic piece. This type of thoughtless crime makes it harder for us to keep Birmingham’s wonderful history collections on display for visitors.”
West Midlands Police has launched an investigation into the theft.
Local jewellers have been alerted, and museums and galleries were asked to be on the lookout for the object.
CCTV images taken by the museum’s security system show a man entering the premises and leaning over a barrier before unscrewing the finial, which topped a 19th-century cut-glass stand made by Birmingham company F&C Ostler.
Simon Cane, BMAG’s interim director, said: “This is very upsetting as we have lost a piece from a unique part of Birmingham’s history.
“The piece taken is of little value on its own, but the loss detracts from the look of this fantastic piece. This type of thoughtless crime makes it harder for us to keep Birmingham’s wonderful history collections on display for visitors.”
West Midlands Police has launched an investigation into the theft.
Local jewellers have been alerted, and museums and galleries were asked to be on the lookout for the object.
