Suspect Arrested in Austria Art Theft

Forbes ^ | Jan. 21, 2006 | GEORGE JAHN

[FairOpinion]

A suspect in the theft of a $60 million Renaissance figurine turned himself in and police said Saturday they had recovered the object, stolen almost three years ago from an Austrian museum.

The Austria Press Agency said experts had established the authenticity of the figurine - the 16th century, gold-plated "Saliera," or salt cellar sculpture by the Florentine master Benvenuto Cellini.

The sculpture, buried in a wooden case, was found near Zwettl, a town about 55 miles north of Vienna, said the official, who would not identify himself on the phone in accordance with Austrian practice.

He said the man, whom he also refused to identify, turned himself in Friday after police released photos of him identifying him as a suspect.

The man was photographed by a surveillance camera while buying a cell phone that was then used to send a text message to police during a failed attempt last year to ransom the figurine, the daily Salzburger Nachrichten reported. He went to the police after acquaintances told him he resembled the person being sought.

Authorities have worked to track down the Saliera since it was stolen from a showcase at Vienna's Art History Museum on May 11, 2003.

[FairOpinion]

Saliera" (Saltcellar)
gold, ebony, enamel,
Height: 10"

Theft Notices & Recoveries

AUSTRIA

Benvenuto Cellini

Metal-smith, sculptor, author and eccentric, Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) is purportedly considered by many to be one of the finest Italian artists in the generation following Michelangelo. Also known for his grandiose autobiography, Cellini was a convoluted character, claiming to have served and bickered with dukes, bishops, cardinals, kings and queens. Cellini also asserted himself to be a duelist and pugilistic political figure, who committed a variety of crimes and embarked on a myriad of misadventures. While the majority of Cellini's works in precious metal has been melted down and lost forever, the "Saliera" is most notable for being the last remaining example of Cellini's work in gold --- stolen on May 11, 2003.

[FairOpinion]

art ping

[woofie]

Art ping.


If you want on or off the art ping list, please let Republicanprofessor, Sam Cree or me know

[FairOpinion]

In the process of trying to find a photo of Saliera, I found that the FBI has a page about art thefts, where they list the pieces that are missing.

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/arttheft/arttheft.htm

It's interesting to check out.


FBI's Top Ten Art Thefts:

• Iraqi Looted and Stolen Artifacts
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Theft
• Theft of Munch's The Scream
• Theft of the Cellini Salt Cellar
• Theft of Caravaggio's Nativity with San Lorenzo and San Francesco
• Theft of the Davidoff-Morini Stradivarius
• The Van Gogh Museum Robbery
• Theft of Cezanne's View of Auvers-sur-Oise
• Theft of Da Vinci's Madonna of the Yarnwinder
• Theft of the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Murals, Panels 3-A and 3-B

[woofie]

Hot art is problematic

[FairOpinion]

You can search by continent, country, and see the description, photos of stolen and recovered art.

[MinuteGal]

I bet nobody was asked to "please pass the salt" in those days.

Leni

[Republicanprofessor]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad it's recovered. It's such a typical "light and fluffy" Rococo piece.