The British Museum is suing former curator Peter Higgs, alleging that he stole more than 1,800 items from its collection.
Higgs was fired in July 2023. The museum’s initial announcement in August about the approximately 2,000 missing, stolen, and damaged items did not name Higgs, but news reports in the Times of London and the Daily Telegraph quickly identified the veteran curator of Greek and Roman art.
The missing, damaged, and stolen items were ancient gems and gold jewelry, plus other small pieces that had not been on public display. According to the Associated Press, the museum’s lawyers said Higgs “abused his position of trust” and took the items over a 10-year period.
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“The items that have been stolen from the museum are of cultural and historical significance,” museum lawyer Daniel Burgess said in written legal arguments.
The orders from High Court judge Heather Williams include requirements that Higgs list or return any items from the museum still in his possession within four weeks, as well as the disclosure of his records from eBay and PayPal.
Burgess also wrote that Higgs tried to hide his activities through the use of fake names, false documents, manipulation of museum records, and listing and selling items for less than their value. This allegations corresponds to previous reports that Higgs had listed some of the missing items on eBay for as little as $51.
Higgs has denied these allegations. The AP reported that he intends to dispute the British Museum’s legal claim, but he did not attend a hearing on March 26 due to poor health.
In addition to the lawsuit, there is a separate, ongoing police investigation. Higgs has not been charged.
The fallout from the thefts scandal includes the immediate resignation of director Hartwig Fischer; the resignation of deputy director Jonathan Williams; an independent review urging the tightening of security and collection records; plans for a complete documentation of the museum’s collection in five years at a cost of $12.1 million; and renewed calls for the repatriation of items such as the Benin Bronzes and the Parthenon Marbles from Nigerian and Greek officials.
Board chairman George Osborne has also acknowledged the reputation of the British Museum has taken a hit.
On February 15, the museum opened an exhibition showcasing 10 of the 351 recovered gems as part of its efforts at greater transparency.