Art
Moment thief busted into LA art gallery to steal 250-pound ancient Japanese Buddha sculpture worth $1.5MILLION
A thief slipped into a ritzy Los Angeles art gallery to steal an ancient statue worth $1.5million – with the daring heist caught on security camera.
The bronze sculpture depicting a cross-legged Buddha was swiped from the Barakat Gallery in Beverly Grove around 3.45 am on September 18.
The 250-pound artifact dates back to Japan’s Edo Period, spanning 1603 to 1867, and was believed to have been commissioned for the centerpiece of a temple.
Footage captured the moment a Budget moving truck pulled up to the driveway gate. The hoodie-wearing driver stepped out, busted open the gate and scurried past the cameras on his way into the gallery. Using a dolly, he moved the statue into truck.
The entire process took around 25 minutes, according to gallery owner Fayez Barakat.
‘I prize it so much,’ he said of the statue. ‘I had it in the backyard of my home and when I moved into this gallery, I put it in the backyard of the gallery for everybody to admire and enjoy.’
West Hollywood’s Barakat Gallery is down one ancient artifact, as a bronze Buddha statue was stolen on September 18
Security footage captured the moment a thief broke open the driveway gate and headed into the gallery, only to return in under 30 minutes towing the sculpture on a dolly
The gallery is located in Beverly Grove, a busy shopping and dining destination in Los Angeles
The West Hollywood site opened in January 2017 and features a 7,000-square-foot showroom spread across two stories. The gallery sells a myriad of artifacts ranging from sculptures to jewelry plus a library with a selection of texts related to history, art and anthropology.
But the stolen sculpture was precious, as Barakat said he acquired it over 55 years ago and there is no other artifact like it in the world.
Gallery director Paul Henderson described it as the ‘prize piece’ out of nearly 200 pieces in the collection.
‘It’s four feet tall, it’s hollow cast bronze and it’s a stunning piece,’ he told KTLA 5. ‘It’s really aesthetically arresting and it’s shocking to see something like this go missing.’
The theft is the first Henderson has experienced after working at the gallery for over a decade.
He suspected the ancient artifact would be virtually impossible to sell without getting caught.
‘You can’t go on the market. You can’t take it to a pawn shop and sell it for a few thousand dollars, it’s just not possible,’ he said.
‘It’s like a museum heist type thing where, what are you going to do with this object right now? We’re all very curious and really puzzled, to be honest.’
Gallery owner Fayez Barakat says he is ‘heartbroken,’ as the piece is one of a kind
The gallery specializes in ancient artifacts and has around 200 items in its collection
The statue is valued at $1.5million and was acquired 55 years ago. Gallery director Paul Henderson describes it as the ‘prize piece’
Barakat Gallery is a family tradition that started over a century ago. The Barakats were artifact dealers in the Middle East who expanded their business worldwide
Considering all possible outcomes, Barakat expressed fear that the thief might melt the centuries-old statue down for bronze.
‘I’m heartbroken,’ the gallery owner said.
‘Whoever stole it, maybe that person understood the value. Probably they commissioned somebody, a thief of some kind, to just go ahead and steal it.’
Barakat is a fifth-generation art dealer with a family legacy stretching back 125 years.
The Barakat family historically sold artifacts in the Middle East. To account for a growing collection, they opened their first gallery in Jerusalem in the 1950s and have since expanded to other cities across the globe.
Every item at Barakat is legally excavated and recorded, and advertised as ‘museum-quality.’
The owner hopes the thief will be found soon and is offering a reward to anyone who returns the sculpture. No arrests have been made.
The Edo period one of richest in terms of Japanese art. One of the most recognizable pieces from this era is The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a woodblock print by famed artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It depicts a cresting wave with three boats navigating the rough waters. A print of the work, originally titled Under the Wave off Kanagawa, sold at auction for nearly $3million last year.
Christie’s, the auction house that sold the piece, is putting a complete set of another 46 prints by the same artist up for sale next March.
The auction house said it expects the prints, which date back to the 19th century, to bring in an amount ‘in the millions.’
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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