An antique collection of gold snuff box has been discovered decades later, stolen from an estate.
Seven of the 24 so-called ‘Fulford Thefts’ – worth more than £100,000 and dating back to 1770 – have been returned to their rightful home after being stolen in 1981.
These boxes are a mixture of Swiss, German, and French craftsmanship. They were given to Temple Newsam House, Leeds.
The Art Loss Register discovered the treasures at auction – however, they had changed hands so many times it was impossible to identify the thief.
It was a valuable collection of gold snuff box collections that were stolen from stately homes. This discovery came decades after the fact.
Following conservation, the collection will be displayed next year.
Adam Toole, keeper at Temple Newsam House, said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled to see the boxes return home.’
He added: ‘The disappearance of these beautiful boxes was a great loss to Temple Newsam and to the city, so we’re delighted that these treasures are in our collection once more.
‘It’s extremely rare to find objects which have such a captivating combination of classic artistry and modern-day intrigue and we can’t wait to share this remarkable story with our visitors.’
Seven of the 24 so-called ‘Fulford Thefts’ – worth more than £100,000 and dating back to 1770 – have been returned to their rightful home after being stolen in 1981
Temple Newsam House has received the boxes which are a combination of German, Swiss, and French craftsmanship.
James Ratcliffe, director of recoveries and general counsel at the Art Loss Register said: ‘It is fantastic to see these seven gold boxes returned to Temple Newsam, more than 40 years since they were stolen.’
Originally displayed in Temple Newsam’s stunning Chinese Drawing Room, the boxes were stolen, along with a number of other items, probably by a thief pretending to be a tourist viewing the home’s many antiquities.
The boxes had joined the house’s collection at the outbreak of the Second World War, when they were part of a generous donation by noted local art collector, entrepreneur and laxative magnate Frank Fulford.
Tudor Jacobean Mansion is dated back to 16th Century. After Lord Thomas Darcy was executed, King Henry V111 took the mansion from him.
Lady Elizabeth I took the home after Lord Henry Darnley married Mary Queen.
Adam Toole was the Temple Newsam House’s keeper, Sarah Murray was Leeds Museums and Galleries’ collections manager and registrar, and Sarah Murray looked after our amazing collection of snuff box snuff bottles.