[MSN] Bronze sculptures stolen for scrap?

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Bronze sculptures stolen for scrap?

By JON HUTCHINSON
Staff Reporter

Family members are worried the larger than life sized bronze statues taken from the John Henry Waddell property in Cornville last week may have been plundered for their scrap metal value.

The statuary includes nine pieces that reportedly weigh between 500 and 1,500 pounds each. In addition to two individual nude female forms, a cluster dubbed "Generations" includes seven pieces.

All of the works were located in a six acre sculpture garden on a ridge above the Waddell home on Spring Creek in Cornville. Waddell says he and his wife would have been out of earshot if heavy equipment had been used to move the pieces from the sculpture garden.

The bronze pieces are valued from $700,000 to $900,000 and Waddell has personally offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to their recovery.

Reportedly, large art works have been stolen for their scrap metal value. Waddell estimates the value of the works taken from his property could fetch $20,000 for its copper.

Scrap copper sells for as much as 90 percent of the cost of new copper. British investigators suspect the metal is being sold in Asia or China

Four lifelike bronze sculptures were pried off their concrete bases at a Santa Fe art gallery.

The head of a Ukrainian poet was found at a nearby smelter two days after the giant statue was stolen from an Ontario park.

The United Kingdom has been plagued with theft of metal sold as scrap. In one case, closed circuit TV caught thieves working for two hours to saw through the base of two life-sized sculptures before they were carted away.

Henry Moore's "A Reclining Nude" is another among massive bronze pieces stolen in Britain. The sculpture is worth $18 million, but $9,000 as scrap.

In New Orleans, thieves broke into the studio of artist John T. Scott and used a bolt cutter, hacksaw and hammer to dismantle his sculptures in what was called "industrial looting."

The New York Times reports that the thefts include everything from war memorials to classical and contemporary pieces. The only thing they have in common is that they are large and made of bronze.

Y.C.S.O. investigators are working to develop leads in this case. Any persons with information are asked to contact the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office at (928) 771-3260, or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.

http://verdeindependent.1upsoftware.com