Figurines stolen by connoisseur?

Press, 23 October 1980, Page 4

Figurines stolen by connoisseur?

PA Wellington The theft of seven Japanese ivory figurines, valued at 85000, from the National Museum In Wellington was probably carried out or mas-ter-minded by an art connoissuer, according to the museum’s director, Dr John Yaldwym "They were carefully picked from a selection of 78 Japanese ivories. A number of more valuablelooking Itepia were left in the cabinet they were stolen from,” he said yesterday. Emphasising that this was his personal theory, Dr Yatdwyn said the thief was likely to be a collector who would probably "gloat over" the stolen figurines rather than sell them. “He either did the job himself or got someone to do st for him — to get them back we have to. Mme er Kite him,” he Mid.

The theft took place during opening hours some time between October Id and 21, when the loss was noticed by staff during a routine check, A screwdriver was used to prise open the glass cabinet ta the museum’s hall of colonial history. The custodian and security officer, Mr D. Stevens, said that a nearby television camera was aimed to. pick up groups .of people in the hall beyond the cabinet and would not have shown the thief at work. Security men were on duty at the museum day and . Dr Yaldwgn said he thought security at the museum was “pretty reasonable" although no system was completely effective. “One takes too best precautions one can budget for,” he said.