Itaii Gradel, the Danish classical gems specialist whose investigations revealed that hundreds of objects had been stolen from the British Museum, died on 28 April at the age of 61. His painstaking research eventually led to the resignation of the museum’s director Hartwig Fischer three years ago.
Gradel first wrote to the museum in 2021, explaining he had found proof that precious objects under its care were being sold on eBay. His correspondence named the British Museum’s senior curator Peter Higgs, as the person he believed was behind the sales.
After Gradel’s concerns were seemingly ignored by the museum, he wrote again in October 2022, with his message passed to George Osborne, who had recently taken over as the museum’s chairperson. Gradel was then told that “there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations”.
In January 2023, the British Museum reported to the police that it had conducted its own research and that hundreds of items from the collection had been stolen or severely damaged, mainly ancient Greek jewels. A police investigation was launched.
Higgs was dismissed in July 2023 and a month later the museum for the first time publicly reported the loss. Police inquiries are continuing, but so far nobody has been arrested or charged. Higgs denies any wrongdoing.
On 25 August 2023, Fischer announced his immediate resignation, on the grounds that the British Museum “did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021”. Fischer added that he had “misjudged the remarks I made earlier this week about Dr Gradel”, expressing his sincere regret and withdrawing his critical comments about the Danish specialist.
Of the 2,000 items now known to be affected, 1,500 were stolen and 500 damaged (375 of which had gold removed). Of the 1,500 stolen pieces, 626 had been recovered by last year (many of which had been bought in good faith by Gradel and returned). In May 2025 the museum said that it had identified a further 100 items which it hoped to recover.
Under Fischer’s successor, Nicholas Cullinan, the museum is continuing to search for the missing items. But as time goes on, the chances of recoveries recede.
Earlier this month Cullinan presented Gradel, whose health was fast deteriorating, with a special British Museum award: “In recognition of your expertise and of your passionate determination that wrongs should be righted”.
