Recoveries

The book trade has called for institutions to be more proactive in reporting missing items after two notebooks belonging to Charles Darwin were mysteriously returned to Cambridge University Library.

One of New York’s most prolific antiquities collectors has surrendered 180 ‘looted’ items from his collection and been barred for life from acquiring antiquities again.

A group of antique snuff boxes has been recovered after a theft more than 40 years ago.

Part of a medieval manuscript stolen in Italy more than 30 years ago has been returned with the help of London firm Bloomsbury Auctions.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including the the return of a 3600-year-old tablet showing part of the Epic of Gilgamesh being handed back to Iraq by the US.

A renewed plea for eight Anglo-Saxon brooches still missing following a theft in 1995 has been issued after the recovery of one of the group.

The status of a Eugène Boudin (1824-98) painting stolen 30 years ago from a Mayfair dealership is currently in limbo while the rightful owner is sought.

Four Victorian bronze tortoises stolen from National Trust property Kingston Lacy in Dorset have been recovered nearly 30 years later.

Restituted pictures remain a key area of supply for fresh Old Masters and Christie’s evening sale on July 8 includes two Dutch Golden Age paintings.

A sight loss charity in London has benefited from a surprise windfall after pictures restituted to the estate of a benefactor were sold at auction in Vienna.

A pair of 3ft 7in high (1.12m) Victorian iron pier finials cast as rampant lions have returned home after two decades missing from a family home.

For those who have studied or have even a passing interest in the field of art crime, Charles (or Charley) Hill was one of the giants in the world of recovering stolen masterpieces – from Munch’s 'The Scream' to Vermeer and Goya and many more.