The British Museum has recovered 268 more missing objects following thefts at the institution.
The museum announced on Friday that a total of 626 items, out of around 1,500 missing or stolen objects, have been found across the world – including in Europe and North America – and taken back to be housed in its London collection.
A previous update in February stated that over 350 artefacts, including classical Greek and Roman gems and jewellery, had been recovered after being taken.
George Osborne, Chairman of the British Museum trustees and former Chancellor, said: “Few expected to see this day, and even I had my doubts. When we announced the devastating news that objects had been stolen from our collection, people understandably assumed that was it – we were unlikely to ever see more than a handful of them again.
“That’s usually the history with thefts like this. But the team at the British Museum refused to give up. Through clever detective work and a network of well-wishers, we’ve achieved a remarkable result: more than 600 of the objects are back with us, and a further 100 have been identified – in total almost half the stolen items that we could recover.
“It’s a great result but we’re not resting here – the hunt goes on for the remaining missing objects. I urge anyone with any information to follow the example of all who’ve helped us and get in touch.”
Additionally, around 500 artefacts have been damaged, including an estimated 350 objects with gold removed and around 140 harmed by tools.
Following the uproar over the thefts disclosed in August 2023, the museum's director, Hartwig Fischer, resigned and was temporarily replaced by former Victoria and Albert Museum head Sir Mark Jones.
In March, outgoing National Portrait Gallery director Nicholas Cullinan was announced as the permanent director of the British Museum.
The institution continues to display some of the recovered gems to the public through the exhibition Rediscovering Gems, open until June 15 in room three.
Legal proceedings were launched in March against former curator Dr Peter Higgs, who was dismissed in July last year.
Dr Higgs, who worked within the Department of Greece and Rome for over 30 years, has been investigated by the Metropolitan Police but not charged.
He did not attend the High Court hearing in London due to poor health. The court heard that Dr Higgs intends to dispute the claim, and Mrs. Justice Heather Williams ordered him to return any stolen items he may have.
