Chinese artefacts are reportedly being stolen to order from UK galleries and museums and are ending up in private collections. Burglaries specifically targeting Chinese antiquities have been attributed to Chinese collectors attempting to reclaim cultural artefacts which were looted by Western invading armies during the past decade. James Ratcliffe, director of recoveries and general counsel at the Art Loss Register, said there had been “a spate of thefts of Chinese artefacts” over the 19th century. None of the stolen items have reappeared, suggesting they are in private hands.
Chinese artefacts are reportedly being stolen to order from UK galleries and museums and are ending up in private collections. Burglaries specifically targeting Chinese antiquities have been attributed to Chinese collectors attempting to reclaim cultural artefacts which were looted by Western invading armies during the 19th century. James Ratcliffe, director of recoveries and general counsel at the Art Loss Register, said there had been “a spate of thefts of Chinese artefacts” over the past decade. None of the stolen items have reappeared, suggesting they are in private hands.