STOLEN - Tribal Art - Papua, New Guinea

Artifacts Stolen from Papua, New Guinea Museum, May 19, 2003

On May 19, 2003 the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery lost a number of important artifacts

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NOTICE OF THEFT:

Artifacts stolen from the Papua New Guinea National Museum in Boroko

On May 19, 2003 the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery lost a number of important artifacts from its galleries, due to a break-in into the Museum at night. The thieves forced their way into the building, emptied an important showcase in the Life and Land Gallery (Prehistory) and smashed show cases containing body ornaments in the Independence gallery.

At least 14 stolen artifacts (possibly up to 5 more, including a replica) come indeed from a display of important prehistoric stone artifacts. Dr Pamela Swadling, the former curator of Prehistory at the National Museum, established an illustrated and annotated list of the items, based on a report to Soroi M. Eoe, Museum Director. The list of body ornaments stolen from Independence gallery gives the inventory numbers and an object title for another 36 items.

For more details, go to http://www.pacificarts.org/theft.html