The British Museum is suing former curator Peter Higgs for allegedly stealing hundreds of artifacts from its collections and offering them for sale online. Higgs was fired in July 2023 after more than 1,800 items were discovered to be missing. The museum claims that Higgs abused his position to steal ancient gems, gold jewelry, and other pieces from storerooms over a decade. High Court judge Heather Williams ordered Higgs to list or return any items in his possession within four weeks and also requested the disclosure of his eBay and PayPal records. The museum has managed to recover 356 of the missing items so far and hopes to retrieve more.
Museum lawyer Daniel Burgess stated that the stolen items are of cultural and historical significance, with Higgs allegedly trying to cover his tracks by using fake names, creating false documents, manipulating the museum’s records, and selling artifacts below their value. Higgs, who worked in the museum’s Greece and Rome department for over two decades, denies the allegations and plans to dispute the museum’s legal claims. Despite not attending the court hearing due to poor health, a police investigation regarding the case is ongoing, and Higgs has not faced criminal charges.
Museum director Hartwig Fischer resigned following the revelation of the missing items in August, citing an apology for not taking seriously a warning from an art historian about artifacts from the museum’s collection being sold on eBay. Chairman of trustees George Osborne has acknowledged that the reputation of the 265-year-old institution has been tarnished by this incident. The British Museum, located in London’s Bloomsbury district, is a popular tourist destination, drawing in 6 million visitors annually. The museum’s vast collection includes Egyptian mummies, ancient Greek statues, Viking hoards, Chinese poetry scrolls, and masks from Indigenous peoples of Canada.
The episode has brought to light the need for increased security measures and oversight to prevent future thefts from occurring. The museum’s legal action against Higgs demonstrates a commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring the protection of cultural heritage. Despite the damage done to the institution’s reputation, efforts are being made to recover the stolen artifacts and strengthen safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ongoing police investigation will likely shed more light on the extent of the thefts and any potential accomplices involved in the scheme.
The British Museum’s lawsuit against Higgs highlights the importance of maintaining trust and integrity within cultural institutions and upholding ethical standards in the preservation and display of historical artifacts. The museum’s commitment to restitution and recovery underscores its dedication to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring that stolen items are returned to their rightful place. Moving forward, the museum will likely implement stricter protocols and procedures to prevent future thefts and enhance security measures to protect its valuable collection. The court’s ruling ordering Higgs to return or account for the missing items within a specified timeframe indicates a strong stance against illicit activities within the museum sector.
