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Jewels Stolen During Green Vault Heist Back on Display
Most of the 18th century royal jewelry taken from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, in 2019 went back on display this week.
Visitors to the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, can now view the recovered jewelry that was stolen from the museum in a November 2019 heist. (© State Art Collections Dresden, Photo: David Pinzer)
Dresden, Germany—Most of the 18th century royal jewelry stolen from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, during a November 2019 heist is now back on display.
German authorities recovered almost all the jewelry in 2022, though a few pieces are still missing, including a large jeweled bustle bow that belonged to Queen Amalie Auguste of Bavaria and an epaulet set with the “Saxon White” diamond.
“We are very grateful to the Dresden Regional Court for approving the relocation of the jewels to their original location,” Marion Ackermann, director general of the Dresden State Art Collections, said in a statement translated from German.
“However, they will remain secured for judicial appraisal. The reinstallation of the display case now allows the citizens of Saxony and all interested visitors to experience the Green Vault again in almost all its glory.”
German authorities recovered almost all the jewelry in 2022, though a few pieces are still missing, including a large jeweled bustle bow that belonged to Queen Amalie Auguste of Bavaria and an epaulet set with the “Saxon White” diamond.
“We are very grateful to the Dresden Regional Court for approving the relocation of the jewels to their original location,” Marion Ackermann, director general of the Dresden State Art Collections, said in a statement translated from German.
“However, they will remain secured for judicial appraisal. The reinstallation of the display case now allows the citizens of Saxony and all interested visitors to experience the Green Vault again in almost all its glory.”
The museum is welcoming visitors back to see the recovered jewelry. (© State Art Collections Dresden, Photo: David Pinzer)
The jewels need some restoration, according to museum officials. (© State Art Collections Dresden, Photo: David Pinzer)
The jewels were returned with some “barely visible” damage, said Ackermann, and need to be repaired.
“The returned pieces are major artistic works of Saxon and international jewelry art of the 18th century. We assume that, in principle, all damage can be restored. An international commission of experts will meet for this purpose after the jewels have been released,” she said.
In May 2023, a German court convicted five men of breaking into the museum and stealing jewels with an insured value of at least $135 million.
Throughout the investigation, museum officials said the jewels were priceless in terms of their historical and cultural value and hoped for their return.
The men were all members of the Berlin-based Remmo organized crime family, according to German news agency DPA.
The men, ages 24 to 29 at the time, were sentenced to between 4 and 6 years in prison. A sixth suspect was acquitted.
The sentences were handed down as part of a plea bargain, following the retrieval of some of the stolen jewels in late 2022.
Local police said at the time that they found 31 jewels in Berlin and most of the pieces were intact.
“Of course, we have not given up hope of being able to exhibit the remaining jewels here in the Green Vault one day,” said Ackermann.
“We cannot undo the break-in, but we can ensure that it cannot happen again,” she said, noting the museum’s security architecture has been reviewed and it is coordinating with the relevant authorities.
The museum is inviting the public to come see the recovered jewels, offering extended opening hours and a limited number of free tickets on its website.
In a post on X, Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer said it was a good day for Saxony.
Heute ist ein guter Tag für #Sachsen. 2019 haben kriminelle Clans aus Berlin sich unser #kulturelles #Erbe zu eignen gemacht. Doch wir haben für unseren Schatz gekämpft! Dank der unermüdlichen Arbeit von #Polizei, #Justiz und Politik konnte ein großer Teil der Schmuckstücke… pic.twitter.com/c0pjb8NOCq
— Michael Kretschmer (@MPKretschmer) August 13, 2024
The Green Vault is one of the world’s oldest museums, created in 1723 by Augustus the Strong of Saxony, who wanted to establish Dresden as an arts hub.
His treasury, on display in Dresden’s Royal Palace, is comprised of 4,000 jewels, objets d’art, and other historically significant items, including the 41-carat “Dresden Green” diamond.
His treasury, on display in Dresden’s Royal Palace, is comprised of 4,000 jewels, objets d’art, and other historically significant items, including the 41-carat “Dresden Green” diamond.
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