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Another jewellery theft. This time against the Royal Palace in Dresden
Posted by JR76 on November 25, 2019, 10:34 pm
Royal treasures of the Saxon Kings believed to be worth up to a billion euros were stolen during a heist against the Green vaults of the Royal Palace in Dresden early this morning
I am angry, sad and very, very furious !! This is a crime on all Dresdnians, on Saxony and on german history! The financial value of the pieces is one thing, but the historical one is incomparable, for they represent a particularly significant phase of the eighteenth century, representing the courtly culture whose meaning goes far beyond what is commonly seen in it today. The parues were politically significant, that was not just jewelry, no they showed the power and importance of the ruler. Today there are practically no comparable pieces anymore. In wars and economically difficult phases, the old treasures were lost or reworked. Others were sold . Miraculously, they survived.
Apparently, the thieves have widely sabotaged the stream and then got into it. In the press a connection with the theft of the gold coin from the Bode Museum Berlin is drawn, which was made by a criminal clan. The coin has almost certainly been melted down and destroyed. A large financial damage, about the art-historical one can argue in that case. However, if the thieves will do the same thing with the Saxon jewels, which can be suspected will be happen, than they´ll destroy them. They will not give a damn on the historical value, but only will be interested in the stones.
For professional reasons earlier this year I was in Dresden and while the official receptions we, some hundreds of experts of german museums, had the opportunity to see the restorated Green Vault exclusivly. Because of eating and talking I was a little late, and couldn´t see all (but managed to see the renaissance jewellery and the Dresden Green). But I missed the parues. I wasn´t sorry very much cause I´d saw them before. I didn´t thought to have the last opportunity to see them at all!!
Previous Message
Royal treasures of the Saxon Kings believed to be worth up to a billion euros were stolen during a heist against the Green vaults of the Royal Palace in Dresden early this morning
I think we all would want to express our outrage and sympathy at this. Such a tragedy for Germany, history and for all appreciators of beautiful and historical items.
I think the consequence of these kinds of actions is that jewels/art will just be hidden away in vaults and not displayed to the public, which would be a gross loss.
I know it might sound naive and stupid but I can't believe that the culprits would not consider the long term consequences of their action. No shame whatsoever, I hope they are dealt with severely and that anyone implicated in buying stolen items also receives suitable punishment.
Previous Message
I am angry, sad and very, very furious !! This is a crime on all Dresdnians, on Saxony and on german history! The financial value of the pieces is one thing, but the historical one is incomparable, for they represent a particularly significant phase of the eighteenth century, representing the courtly culture whose meaning goes far beyond what is commonly seen in it today. The parues were politically significant, that was not just jewelry, no they showed the power and importance of the ruler. Today there are practically no comparable pieces anymore. In wars and economically difficult phases, the old treasures were lost or reworked. Others were sold . Miraculously, they survived.
Apparently, the thieves have widely sabotaged the stream and then got into it. In the press a connection with the theft of the gold coin from the Bode Museum Berlin is drawn, which was made by a criminal clan. The coin has almost certainly been melted down and destroyed. A large financial damage, about the art-historical one can argue in that case. However, if the thieves will do the same thing with the Saxon jewels, which can be suspected will be happen, than they´ll destroy them. They will not give a damn on the historical value, but only will be interested in the stones.
For professional reasons earlier this year I was in Dresden and while the official receptions we, some hundreds of experts of german museums, had the opportunity to see the restorated Green Vault exclusivly. Because of eating and talking I was a little late, and couldn´t see all (but managed to see the renaissance jewellery and the Dresden Green). But I missed the parues. I wasn´t sorry very much cause I´d saw them before. I didn´t thought to have the last opportunity to see them at all!!
Previous Message
Royal treasures of the Saxon Kings believed to be worth up to a billion euros were stolen during a heist against the Green vaults of the Royal Palace in Dresden early this morning
I don't know if the perpetrators of this notorious theft would be able to sell any of their bounty seeing that it is all over the news. Wouldn't it put off potential buyers/ tradesmen from buying any stones which now come on the market, and how much would they be willing to pay for all of a sudden new and impressive old cut jewels.
I had read somewhere that most jewel houses now were encrypting some code onto their stones to separate them from dirty or stolen goods.
Just in the UK the other day a couple guys were convicted of having found maybe the most important hoard to have been found in the UK and not declaring it and having sold the most part with only a small amount being recovered.
What was recovered confirmed that England or Britain was divided and ruled by separate kings and that they may have made an alliance to fight off the Saxons thereby making the country into one whole.
It is now believed that they could have been several more major discoveries by metal detectors who never declared their treasure and same having left the country thereby erasing forever the history behind such important finds.
While this news is negative, I do believe they may recover some of the jewels. I wonder though, does this narrative not kind of instigate that these jewels could have been sold or retained by some of the now defunct German noble families instead of just sitting idly in a museum?
If the cost of having these jewels just being on show outstrips the income they bring in' then to have such displays in this age may have past it's shelf life. I am sure some dealers such as the famous London jewel King 'Graff' would not hesitate to invest to have these jewels in his company and he reset them into something outstanding that actually sells.
One can find and see almost anything on the world wide web, so museums may very well become redundant. Just my thoughts guys.
Regards,
Dave.
Previous Message
I think we all would want to express our outrage and sympathy at this. Such a tragedy for Germany, history and for all appreciators of beautiful and historical items.
I think the consequence of these kinds of actions is that jewels/art will just be hidden away in vaults and not displayed to the public, which would be a gross loss.
I know it might sound naive and stupid but I can't believe that the culprits would not consider the long term consequences of their action. No shame whatsoever, I hope they are dealt with severely and that anyone implicated in buying stolen items also receives suitable punishment.
Previous Message
I am angry, sad and very, very furious !! This is a crime on all Dresdnians, on Saxony and on german history! The financial value of the pieces is one thing, but the historical one is incomparable, for they represent a particularly significant phase of the eighteenth century, representing the courtly culture whose meaning goes far beyond what is commonly seen in it today. The parues were politically significant, that was not just jewelry, no they showed the power and importance of the ruler. Today there are practically no comparable pieces anymore. In wars and economically difficult phases, the old treasures were lost or reworked. Others were sold . Miraculously, they survived.
Apparently, the thieves have widely sabotaged the stream and then got into it. In the press a connection with the theft of the gold coin from the Bode Museum Berlin is drawn, which was made by a criminal clan. The coin has almost certainly been melted down and destroyed. A large financial damage, about the art-historical one can argue in that case. However, if the thieves will do the same thing with the Saxon jewels, which can be suspected will be happen, than they´ll destroy them. They will not give a damn on the historical value, but only will be interested in the stones.
For professional reasons earlier this year I was in Dresden and while the official receptions we, some hundreds of experts of german museums, had the opportunity to see the restorated Green Vault exclusivly. Because of eating and talking I was a little late, and couldn´t see all (but managed to see the renaissance jewellery and the Dresden Green). But I missed the parues. I wasn´t sorry very much cause I´d saw them before. I didn´t thought to have the last opportunity to see them at all!!
Previous Message
Royal treasures of the Saxon Kings believed to be worth up to a billion euros were stolen during a heist against the Green vaults of the Royal Palace in Dresden early this morning
I am sure that by now most will have seen the photos of the stolen jewels on Vincent Meylan's Instagram account. But if not, please see https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TkBTWofVv/
What a catastrophe! It sounds like a very well planned raid. Unfortunately, thieves have no conscience, much less any respect for history and heritage!
I share everyone's sense of outrage. The loss of such significant treasures is a loss for civilisation, not just a museum or one nation.
Re: Another jewellery theft. This time against the Royal Palace in Dresden
This truly is awful. The chances are exceptionally high that pieces will be broken up and the stone will be recut into smaller gems. Some pieces may be sold whole but it is unlikely.
They say the first 48 hours will be crucial and even if they find just one piece or part there of they can then put pressure all the way up the line for information.
The most bizarre thing is how absolutely woeful the security was.
At least the Dresden Green is safe.
Previous Message
I am sure that by now most will have seen the photos of the stolen jewels on Vincent Meylan's Instagram account. But if not, please see https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TkBTWofVv/
What a catastrophe! It sounds like a very well planned raid. Unfortunately, thieves have no conscience, much less any respect for history and heritage!
I share everyone's sense of outrage. The lost of such significant treasures is a loss for civilisation, not just a museum or one nation.
The german police released a picture of the main pieces which were stolen. The chances to recover them seems very slim IMHO but a miracle can still happen (I do hope so)
Re: What was stolen
Posted by Beth on November 28, 2019, 6:48 am, in reply to "What was stolen"
The Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden has published an updated list of the stolen jewels today, and fortunately some of the pieces which were thought to be lost – notably the queen's pearl necklaces – are safe.
The burglars got hold of 11 objects, plus parts of 2 objects and a group of diamond buttons.
From the diamond rose suite:
01 Sabre
02 Two shoe buckles
03 Hat clasp (Agraffe)
04 Kleinod des Polnischen Weißen Adler-Ordens
05 Large rose diamond
06 Epaulette (partially retained)
07 A group of 10 buttons
From the diamond suite:
08 Hat ornament "Reiherstutz"
09 Epaulette
10 Bruststern des Polnischen Weißen Adler-Ordens
From the queen's jewellery:
11 Große Brustschleife der Königin Amalie Auguste
12 Aigrette
13 Teilstück eines Muffhakens
14 Brillantkollier der Königin Amalie Auguste (partially retained)
Meanwhile we know something more. The savety mechanisms failed. The burglars used a cutting off machine to open the metall lattice (a lot of noise in the very early morning in the center of the city…), they could shut down the electricity by take a fire to the transformation station (no emergency generator at the Chateau), the glass of the showcases didn´t hold up long enough (it should stand 15 min…). It is a shame. Three cheers for the curator who had sewn the jewels to the underlay. The thieves had trouble to take the jewels because of the sewing.
Luckily the pearl necklace of 177 sweetwater pearls (1th lower row of Laurent´s post), the crescent brooch (last in lower row of Laurent´s post)and a aigrette (3th in upper row of Laurent´s post) has been found. They were buried unter the fire extinguishing powder the thieves sprayed to cover the tracks.
There are a lot of very large stones. For example the epaulette with the "saxonian white" Diamond is a very important part of the collection. The big diamond is of 49,84 carat, two smaller ones of 39,5 and 21 carat. As the the great stomacher bow brooch of the Queen (upper row of Laurent´s post). Made 1782, 51 large, 611 middle and small size brilliants. 614 carats. Weight 556g (!!). 21,4 x 12,5 x 5,0 cm
I'm so happy to ear the pearl necklace and diamond crescent are safe !!
Do we know if the color suites are intact ?
Reports said that rubies and pearls were also stolen...
It's so sad to think that was has been taken is probably lost for ever...
J-F
Previous Message
Thank you Laurent and Mauriz the pictures.
Meanwhile we know something more. The savety mechanisms failed. The burglars used a cutting off machine to open the metall lattice (a lot of noise in the very early morning in the center of the city…), they could shut down the electricity by take a fire to the transformation station (no emergency generator at the Chateau), the glass of the showcases didn´t hold up long enough (it should stand 15 min…). It is a shame. Three cheers for the curator who had sewn the jewels to the underlay. The thieves had trouble to take the jewels because of the sewing.
Luckily the pearl necklace of 177 sweetwater pearls (1th lower row of Laurent´s post), the crescent brooch (last in lower row of Laurent´s post)and a aigrette (3th in upper row of Laurent´s post) has been found. They were buried unter the fire extinguishing powder the thieves sprayed to cover the tracks.
There are a lot of very large stones. For example the epaulette with the "saxonian white" Diamond is a very important part of the collection. The big diamond is of 49,84 carat, two smaller ones of 39,5 and 21 carat. As the the great stomacher bow brooch of the Queen (upper row of Laurent´s post). Made 1782, 51 large, 611 middle and small size brilliants. 614 carats. Weight 556g (!!). 21,4 x 12,5 x 5,0 cm
The list of stolen items I've provided in my previous post was published by the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden and is complete: 14 items are missing, 2 of them only in parts.
They belong to the diamond rose suite, the diamond suite and the queen's jewellery. The other suites are not affected.