FBI reveals British Museum’s artefacts were stolen by curator and sold online
The FBI has launched an investigation into the sale of suspected stolen artifacts from the British Museum to American buyers.
This follows the British Museum’s announcement last year that ancient gems, jewelry, and other items were missing, stolen, or damaged.
Details of the investigation regarding the British Museum’s missing artifacts
The British Museum estimates that out of 1,500 items believed to be stolen or missing, they have recovered 626 and found 100 more. Many of these items were uncatalogued, making it difficult to prove they belonged to the museum.
The investigation centers on Dr. Peter Higgs, a former senior curator at the museum. The museum accuses Dr. Higgs of stealing, damaging, melting down, and selling artifacts. However, he firmly denies these allegations.
According to court documents, the museum believes Dr. Higgs pocketed around £100,000 from selling items over a decade, mostly through eBay using the account “sultan1966” and the alias “Paul Higgins.”
The FBI has helped return 268 items sold to a collector in Washington, D.C. In one case, a buyer in New Orleans, Tonio Birbiglia, was contacted by an FBI agent about two pieces he purchased on eBay. Birbiglia said he no longer has the items and does not believe authorities have located them. He expressed frustration over the lack of follow-up from the FBI, stating, “The whole thing just seemed like they [the FBI] were blowing it off.”
Antiquities dealer Dr. Ittai Gradel’s role in exposing the theft
Danish antiquities dealer Dr. Ittai Gradel first alerted the museum to the thefts. Dr. Gradel, who has a photographic memory, recognized a gem listed on eBay as part of the British Museum’s collection. This led him to monitor the eBay account, which he later linked to Dr. Higgs. Dr. Gradel confirmed his suspicions by matching the seller’s information to Dr. Higgs’ details.
The museum’s investigation revealed that many stolen items were uncatalogued, making them easy to go missing unnoticed. Dr. Higgs reportedly tampered with the museum’s database to cover his tracks. The museum has filed a civil case against Dr. Higgs, but no one has been arrested or charged.
British Museum’s Response and Future Actions to Secure Artifacts
This incident has prompted the British Museum to catalog every item in its collection and tighten security measures. The museum aims to ensure no staff member can access storerooms alone. Dr. Gradel, who has returned over 360 gemstones to the museum, encourages others who may have purchased stolen items to do the same.
The investigation continues, with both the British Museum and the Metropolitan Police working to recover the missing items. “I’m 100% certain we’ve got our man, we know who has stolen these items,” said George Osborne, Chairman of the British Museum. “Missing coins were found in his house.”
The case has also led to broader scrutiny of security and cataloging practices at the British Museum and other institutions. The UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) requested museums and galleries to provide details of missing artifacts over the past 20 years. This review revealed that over 1,700 artifacts are missing from collections across the country, including a drawing of Queen Victoria and a bronze sculpture by Thomas Stothard.
The FBI and the Metropolitan Police continue to collaborate on this high-profile investigation. The focus remains on tracking down and recovering the remaining missing items, ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future.
