A former employee of the British Museum orchestrated a brazen and prolonged art theft operation, pilfering more than 300 valuable prints from the institution's study rooms over several years until the early 1990s. Nigel Peverett, the perpetrator, executed his crimes in plain sight, exploiting lax security measures to systematically remove artworks.
The Method of the Theft
Peverett's modus operandi involved snatching prints from the museum's study rooms during his tenure. After stealing the items, he would meticulously use razor blades to scratch off any identification details that could link the works back to the British Museum in London. This deliberate act of defacement was intended to obscure the provenance of the stolen prints, making them easier to sell through unsuspecting art dealers.
Discovery and Arrest
The secret operation was finally uncovered in 1992 when Peverett was caught attempting to leave the museum with 35 prints, valued at approximately £5,000, concealed among his personal belongings. This incident triggered a police investigation that revealed the full extent of his thievery.
Authorities searched his cottage in Kent, where they discovered 169 additional prints stacked up, with an estimated value of nearly £30,000. During questioning, Peverett admitted to stealing a further 150 pieces, which he claimed had already been sold to a friend. As a result of his confessions, he was given a suspended sentence for his crimes.
Historical Unearthing of the Case
Decades later, Peverett's misdoings were accidentally rediscovered by historian Barnaby Phillips, who was conducting research for a book on stolen African treasure within the British Museum's archives. This revelation brought the case back into public awareness, highlighting ongoing concerns about museum security.
Security Concerns and Reforms
Following the discovery of the thefts, minutes from a trustee meeting at the British Museum expressed serious concerns about the building's 'inadequate' security measures. The trustees noted that Peverett's thefts had occurred on a large scale over a considerable period, raising fears that more than the 300 prints he confessed to stealing might have been taken.
In response to this security breach, the museum implemented significant reforms, including the introduction of CCTV surveillance and mandatory bag searches for visitors. These measures were aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future and safeguarding the collection.
Aftermath and Legacy
Nigel Peverett passed away in 2023, with his family describing him to historian Barnaby Phillips as 'totally irresponsible and hopeless with money'. Phillips revealed that the British Museum had hoped Peverett's 'extraordinary' case would remain buried in its archives, but his research brought it to light.
Phillips also uncovered connections to a Kent antique dealer who recounted Peverett boasting about 'going into the British Museum with one bag and coming out with four', adding that 'the place was a shambles'. Peverett had fenced the stolen works to art dealers, including one on London's famous Portobello Road, who purchased them in good faith, unaware of their illicit origins.
Parallels with Later Thefts
Peverett's thievery foreshadowed a separate robbery in 2023, which was only uncovered after ancient artefacts dating back to 1500 BC began appearing for sale online. This later case involved the British Museum's former curator of Mediterranean culture, Peter John Higgs, who was sacked over allegations of stealing ancient artefacts, which he denies.
The 2023 thefts came to light thanks to Danish antiques dealer Ittai Gradel, who spotted an eBay account selling small artefacts, including an ancient gemstone known as the Priapus cameo. Gradel recognized the piece from an exhibition at the British Museum and alerted authorities, leading to the discovery of nearly 2,000 missing or damaged items. Many of these had been stolen from storerooms and sold on eBay, with hundreds since recovered.
Museum Response and Ongoing Safeguarding
A spokesperson for the British Museum commented on the historical nature of Peverett's crimes, stating: 'These events occurred decades ago and the individual was caught and prosecuted at the time.' The spokesperson acknowledged that thefts remain a risk for all museums and emphasized the institution's commitment to safeguarding its collection.
In addition to enhanced security measures, the museum has focused on making the collection more widely known as a protective strategy. In 2023, the British Museum committed to fully digitising its collection within five years, aiming to increase transparency and security through public awareness and accessibility.
The museum has also filed a lawsuit against Peter Higgs in relation to the 2023 thefts, with Higgs defending himself against all allegations. This ongoing legal action underscores the persistent challenges museums face in protecting cultural heritage from internal and external threats.
