Thieves steal more than 600 artefacts, including British Raj items, from Bristol Museum

Thieves have stolen more than 600 valuable colonial artefacts, including items from the British Raj, from a warehouse belonging to Bristol Museum, as per a TOI report. The burglary occurred on September 25 between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., when four men gained entry to the facility housing the museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth collection. Police described it as “a high-value burglary of museum artefacts” and on Thursday released CCTV images of the suspects to aid their enquiries.

Items stolen include rare historical objects

Among the stolen items were an East India Company officer’s waist belt plate mount inscribed with the company’s motto "Auspicio Regis et Senatus Angliae," a carved ivory elephant ornament, an ivory Buddha on a stone base carved with seven snake heads, and an 1838 US emancipation token promoting the abolition of slavery. Other missing objects include military articles, jewellery, silver items, bronze figurines, and geological specimens.

Police highlight historical significance

Case officer DC Dan Burgan told TOI, “The stolen items form part of a collection that provides insight into a part of British history.” The collection also included a painting of the Delhi Durbar of 1903 celebrating Edward VII being proclaimed Emperor of India, over 250 letters from British soldier Joseph Stephens posted on the North West Frontier, and photographs taken by Mumbai-born Victor Veevers, a poster artist for Indian Railways in the 1930s.


(With inputs from TOI)