An art collection worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, amassed across decades from around the world, has been stolen from a woman’s home in Melbourne.
The woman’s brother, Stephen, attended the property, in Kew, on December 28 and noticed the front door was off its hinges and the home ransacked.
It’s believed unknown offenders attended the property several times and stole paintings, jewelery, and other property worth more than $400,000.
Police have released images of artworks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen from a home in Kew, Melbourne. (Victoria Police)
“The front door was wide open and as soon as I walked in you could see everything that was gone – vacuum cleaners, tools, watches, cameras,” Stephen said.
“It’s no longer a home, it’s a house, in her words, and she’s lost everything.
“She’s devastated. She’s in tears when I talk to her.”
The victim has been undergoing long-term medical treatment and living elsewhere for more than a year.
That means the period her home may have been ransacked stretches from December 2024 to December 2025.
Some of the stolen items include a John Perceval “Sunflowers” painting worth more than $75,000; three Cris Canning paintings worth between $30,000 and $50,000 apiece; two antique Chinese paintings worth more than $10,000 each; and a pearl strand worth more than $50,000.
The thief or thieves also stole significant family heirlooms and what police describe as a “substantial” wine collection.
The collection was assembled over decades. (Victoria Police)
None of the items were insured.
Police are appealing for anybody who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area, or who recognises any of the items, to come forward.
“This incident has been extremely distressing and had considerable impact on the victim,” Detective Sergeant Warren Atkinson said.
“The list of items stolen is excessive, well above $400,000, however we’re unable to estimate a value of several of these items so it is expected the actual accumulative amount is much higher.”
Police believe the estimated value of the stolen works could be even higher. (Victoria Police)
He said some items had strong sentimental value as well, including a sculpture the victim bought about 50 years ago in Germany.
“I think they’ve probably attended the address on the first occasion to do a burglary, identified no one was living at the address and then they’ve re-attended several times,” Atkinson said.
“It’s made it extremely difficult to pinpoint where to start.”
The public is asked to keep their eyes peeled for the items, as the criminals are expected to try to on-sell them.
“A lot of them are very distinctive items … just hopefully somebody out there can recognise them or has seen them somehow and can contact the police,” Stephen said.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000.
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