[MSN] Another 5 items possibly missing from Hermitage

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Another 5 items possibly missing from Hermitage

Russia's Hermitage Museum has revealed that five more of its valuable artworks appear to be missing, that's in addition to the 221 pieces that were discovered stolen two months ago.

The museum, located in St. Petersburg, posted a statement on its website late Thursday indicating that officials were double checking the inventory lists of the collection from the history of Russia department. The review would be completed by Nov. 1.

"This is preliminary information," said the statement.

"There might have been a technical error in the data processing. The end results will be contained in the final report."

The posting said that among the five works thought to be missing is a crystal flagon adorned with a crown holding 300 rubies and 24 pearls.

The Hermitage is refusing to comment further on the matter.

Authorities have recovered 24 of the 221 items stolen. A curator, who died suddenly last October, has been identified as the primary source of the thefts. Three people, including the late curator's husband and son, have been charged with the robberies, which took place over several years.

Valued at millions

The items were discovered missing after the museum began an inventory count last fall. The religious items, jewelry, enamelled objects and other items were valued at $5 million US, but some reports have pegged their value at more than $55 million US.

Pawn tickets were discovered in the home of the late curator. Her husband has said his wife needed the money to pay for medical bills.

The thefts, announced July 31, highlighted the financial difficulties many cultural institutions in the country have suffered since the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1991.  

Many staff are paid a pittance and resort to stealing and reselling artifacts in order to survive. About 50 to 100 thefts are reported each year in Russian museums, and many places have lax security. 

Hermitage officials said the museum spends only $20 million rubles a year ($840,000 Cdn) on security

The Hermitage discovery prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to order an inventory of all Russian museums.

The Hermitage, which was started by Catherine the Great in 1764, contains a collection of some three million objects of antiquities, decorative art and Western art — 90 per cent of which are usually in storage.

The museum features world-renowned collections of impressionist, Italian Renaissance, and 17th- and 18th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings.

http://www.cbc.ca/