2,500-year-old golden helmet found over a year after it was stolen from Dutch museum, art detective says
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- A priceless 2,500-year-old gold Helmet of Cotofenesti stolen from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands in January 2025 has been recovered, confirmed Dutch art detective Arthur Brand.
- The helmet, along with three gold bracelets, was taken by robbers who used firework bombs to break into the museum, sparking outrage in Romania where the items are considered national treasures.
- The Dutch government had allocated 5.7 million euros for potential compensation following the theft, which was described as the worst incident in the museum's 170-year history.
- Arthur Brand, known as the "Indiana Jones of the Art World," has a notable track record of recovering stolen art and historical artifacts, often negotiating with criminals to retrieve items from the black market.
- Prosecutors are expected to make an official announcement regarding the recovery of the Helmet of Cotofenesti later on Thursday.
