Queensland police are appealing for public help after “priceless” Egyptian artefacts were stolen from a museum north of Brisbane yesterday.
Police said a man broke into the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology in Caboolture at about 3am on Friday.
They said the man smashed a window and took several Egyptian artefacts before leaving the scene.
The stolen items include a rare painted wooden Egyptian cat figure from the 26th Dynasty, a 3300-year-old glass necklace and a mummy mask that had been verified by the British Museum.
This figurine of a cat was among the items stolen from the museum. (Supplied)
The thief stole pieces of ancient Egyptian jewellery from the displays. (Supplied)
Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology events and public programs manager Joel Stephens said the artefacts were a key part of the museum’s educational program.
“For us it’s devastating and heartbreaking,” he said.
“We have over 10,000 school students every year come through the museum, engage in both our archaeological digs and also come through the museum and learn about world history.
“These pieces are part of our signature collection and [are] really significant to that education program.”
The museum’s Joel Stephens says the loss is “devastating.” (Supplied)
Mr Stephens said retrieving the artefacts was “all we care about”.
“These items are priceless to us…they’re probably not worth a lot to anyone else out there,” he said.
Museum manager Nina Pye said they had discovered ushabtis — a type of Egyptian funerary figurine — and a ring had also been damaged in the break-in and were “irreparable”.
Ms Pye said the cost to the museum would be “upwards of $100,000”.
She urged the thief to handle the items with care and return them to the museum.
“If they’re damaging them they have no value regardless. Bring it back where it can benefit the community and education as a whole,” Ms Pye said.
Museum manager Nina Pye urges the thief to return the items and look after them carefully. (ABC News)
The Queensland Police Service is urging anyone with information relating to the incident, persons involved, or the whereabouts of the stolen property to come forward.
The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology has reopened with a limited display of its remaining Egyptian artefacts.
“We’ve still got a million years of world history on display,” Mr Stephens said.
The museum remains open with a limited display of its remaining Egyptian artefacts. (ABC News: Lottie Twyford)