The British Museum has unveiled an exhibition showcasing classical gems recently recovered after last year’s theft crisis.
Since disclosing in August 2023 that approximately 2,000 objects had gone missing from its collection, the institution has diligently located hundreds of allegedly stolen items.
The stolen artifacts primarily consisted of classical gems and gold jewelry originating from the ancient Mediterranean world.
Responding to heightened public interest in these objects, the museum’s latest exhibition, “Rediscovering Gems,” aims to delve into the historical significance of these gems in the ancient world. Royalty, aristocrats, artists, and antiquarians coveted these items, utilizing them as seals, fashionable jewelry, or treasured objects of beauty.
A statement released in conjunction with the exhibition notes, “Rediscovering Gems will scrutinize these remarkably small yet highly prized masterpieces, whose designs serve as a reflection and record of the personal tastes and aesthetic preferences prevalent throughout history.”
To evoke the 18th-century fascination with these gems, the items will be presented in a traditional gem cabinet from that period. The display will also feature collector’s tools, such as a magnifying glass, cast impressions, and drawings. This arrangement aims to capture the essence of the gems’ popularity during that era.
The showcase will include two Roman glass gems from the late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD: an intaglio which features a profile bust of Minerva and a cameo with a bust of Cupid.
The gems were returned to the museum as part of a recovery programme launched after the alleged thefts were discovered.
The British Museum said: “Thanks to the hard work of the recovery team, and the cooperation of the dealers and members of the public, hundreds of items have been returned.”
‘We promised we’d show the world the gems that were stolen and recovered – rather than hide them away,” said British Museum chair George Osborne. “It’s another example of culture change underway at the British Museum.”
‘We are delighted to be able to put on this exhibition and showcase some of the stunning recovered gems which are now safely back in the museum’s collection,” said Tom Harrison, keeper of the Department of Greece and Rome.
