MUSEUM THEFT: AXA ART OFFERING SUBSTANTIAL REWARD FOR SAFE RECOVERY OF RARE ARTIFACTS
An Assyrian low relief and a marble head dating from the Roman Empire, both rare and valuable, have been mysteriously stolen from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).
AXA ART is offering a substantial reward, subject to specific conditions, for information leading to the safe recovery of the items, which were stolen in October. Additional rewards are also offered of up to CAN$10,000 for anyone able to identify either of the two individuals caught on CCTV.
As part of its standard operating procedure, AXA ART has registered the missing objects with the appropriate authorities who are closely monitoring the situation.
Details of the thefts have been under wraps whilst a rigorous police investigation has been underway.
The museum has comprehensive surveillance of its premises and police and the specialist art loss adjuster appointed by AXA ART, Mark Dalrymple of Tyler & Co, have been able to scrutinize video surveillance footage of the incident that clearly shows the perpetrators carrying out the theft. CCTV footage shows a white male in his mid 30’s, 5’7" to 5'8” tall, carrying a satchel and, from another occasion, a slightly older male with white hair. It is likely that the two incidents are connected.
It can now be revealed that the museum – which has been noted for its good security – is highly perplexed as to the whereabouts of these items.
Clare Dewey, AXA ART’s Claims Manager and one of the company’s in-house art experts, commented, “While we are naturally concerned about the financial loss, we are equally impacted by the significant cultural loss of these precious artifacts. We are working closely with the authorities to recover these rare artifacts and apprehend the perpetrators.”
AXA ART joins the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and international authorities in appealing to the public for help. Anyone with credible information leading to the whereabouts and safe recovery of these missing, rare artifacts may confidentially contact:
The Police:
Sûreté du Québec, 1701, rue Pathenais, Montreal, Québec, H2K 3S7
Crime Ref: 20-111108-020. Tel: +1 800 659 4264
The Loss Adjuster:
Mark Dalrymple, Tyler & Co., 10 Lloyds Avenue, London, EC3N 3AJ, UK. Tel: +44 20 7377 0282, Fax: +44 20 7377 6355, info@tylerandco.uk.com
AXA ART:
For information relating to AXA ART in Canada and Worldwide, please contact: Rosalind N. Joseph, Global Media & Public Relations, AXA ART Group, Mobile: +1 718 710 5181, rjoseph@axa-art-usa.com