Chinese artefacts stolen from Paris castle
Print Edition
THIEVES have broken into the fabled Fontainebleau castle south of Paris and stolen 15 or so “priceless” Chinese artefacts in a lightning raid, French authorities said.
The theft took place in “one of the most secure parts of the castle, equipped with alarms and surveillance cameras,” said the French culture ministry.
The ministry added that the burglary took only seven minutes and that an investigation had been launched to arrest the perpetrators and find the art ware.
The stolen pieces came from China and Thailand. They were collected by Empress Eugenie, wife of Emperor Napoleon III. She had them placed in her museum, which was created in 1863. Some of the artifacts were acquired from the Sack of the Summer Palace in Beijing by the French and British soldiers in 1860.
Among the items taken was the crown of the King of Siam, presented to Napoleon during a visit from the Siamese ambassador and a Chinese chimera in cloisonne enamel from the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the ministry said.
Jean-Francois Hebert, who runs the Fontainebleau castle, said it was a “very big shock and trauma.”
“We think they were very determined, knew exactly what they were looking for and worked in a very professional manner,” he added.
The objects taken were “unique” and “priceless.”
“They were among the most beautiful pieces in the museum,” said Hebert.
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