British Museum Art Heist: 300 Prints Stolen by Former Staff Member
A brazen theft at the British Museum, involving over 300 art prints stolen by a former employee in the early 1990s, has been detailed in a new book. The incident, which remained largely under wraps for decades, highlights significant lapses in security and the ongoing challenges of recovering stolen cultural artifacts.
The Thief and His Methods
Nigel Peverett, who had previously worked at the museum in the 1970s, executed the thefts systematically. He admitted to taking prints from the museum's collection and altering them to conceal their origins. This involved removing catalogue numbers or cutting down the prints to disguise their provenance, making them harder to trace.
Peverett then sold the stolen items through an antiques dealer operating at the famous Portobello Road market in London. This method allowed him to profit from the theft while evading detection for a period, leveraging the bustling market's anonymity.
Discovery and Prosecution
The theft came to light in April 1992 when Peverett was caught red-handed attempting to leave the museum with 35 stolen prints. This led authorities to search his cottage in Kent, where more stolen items were discovered, confirming the scale of the heist.
Following his arrest, Peverett faced prosecution and received a suspended sentence for his crimes. While 55 of the stolen prints were recovered during the investigation, at least 95 remain unaccounted for, with experts believing they may still be circulating in the art market or private collections.
Museum Response and Ongoing Safeguards
In response to the incident, the British Museum has acknowledged these decades-old events, emphasizing their commitment to protecting their vast collection. A spokesperson stated that the museum is actively working to enhance security measures, including a plan to digitise the entire collection within the next five years. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive digital record, making it harder for items to be stolen or go missing without detection.
The case, as revealed in Barnaby Phillips' new book The African Kingdom of Gold, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities even prestigious institutions face. It underscores the importance of robust security protocols and continuous vigilance in preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
