The sculpture Via Vitae is classified by the French Ministry of Culture as a national treasure, and the cost of the work is estimated at 7 million euros.
Armed robbers stole jewelry from the work of the famous Parisian jeweler Joseph Chaumet at the Hieron Museum, in the municipality of Paré-le-Monial. Barron’s magazine reported this yesterday with reference to AFP.
It is indicated that the audacious robbery happened this Thursday around 16:00 local time. The municipality’s mayor, Jean-Marc Nesme, said three intruders entered the museum building, while a fourth kept watch outside.
The robbers fired several shots and went to the main exhibit of the museum – the three-meter work Via Vitae from 1904, made of precious metals, jewels and ivory, depicting the life of Christ. The work contains 138 figures inlaid with diamonds and rubies set in marble and alabaster.
The attackers sawed through the armored glass with a special tool, then they tore the gold and ivory figurines, as well as jewelry with emeralds, from the exhibit.
Jean-Marc Nesme recalled that Via Vitae was classified by the French Ministry of Culture as a national treasure, and the cost of the work was estimated at 7 million euros.
At the time of the incident, there were staff and about 20 visitors on the ground floor of the museum, “traumatized by the violent attack,” the mayor said.
The criminals fled on motorcycles. During the chase, they spread spikes on the road to block the progress of the two chasing vehicles, police said.
The Hieron Museum is one of the oldest institutions of sacred art in France. He used to be a target of thieves. In 2017, two golden crowns were stolen, and in 2022 there was another robbery attempt.
Via Vitae sculpture for theft. Photo: Rachida Dati / X
Earlier in the center of Paris, four armed robbers attacked a Chanel jewelry boutique specializing in the sale of watches and jewelry. They took goods worth several million euros and fled.
It was also reported that the theft of champagne worth 600 thousand euros was prevented in France. The thieves tried to take him out in two trucks.
New Correspondent.net on Telegram and WhatsApp. Subscribe to our channels Athletistic and WhatsApp
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.