The archaeological top pieces that were stolen from the Drents Museum at the beginning of this year are not (yet) justified. Various media reported that the Dutch state must pay 5.7 million, but the damage is currently still being calculated. What do we know?
Organizing large, temporary exhibitions with objects from other museums costs a lot of money. This is mainly due to the insurance premiums that are high in valuable art. That is why the so -called indemnity scheme has been around in the Netherlands since 1989, which stipulates that the state takes on part of the risk of important loan.
Because the state guarantees damage and theft, insurers are willing to give a substantial discount on the premium and the costs for museums are therefore lower. For example, in the past 1930s to 40 percent discount was given by insurers. The indemnity scheme therefore ensures that museums can organize attractive exhibitions. In addition, the guarantee ensures that museums or private individuals are more willing to lend their art.
On Saturday, January 25, the Drents Museum in Assen reported that “archaeological top pieces” were captured in the night before. Robbers forced the doors with explosives, later the camera images below show. The loot consists of four objects: the golden helmet of Cotofenesti from around 450 years before Christ and three gold bracelets, which were made about 50 years before Christ.
The stolen pieces were on loan from the Romanian National Historical Museum in Bucharest in the context of the Dacia – Rijk van Goud and Silver exhibition about the Dacians, a people who lived in present -day Romania more than two thousand years ago. Painful detail: the weekend in which the borrowed objects were captured was also the last weekend that they were exhibited. A delegation from the Romanian museum would pick up the pieces on Sunday.
Damage from theft Drents Museum not yet known
Seven people have been arrested since the robbery, six of them are still detained. The police have seized various objects in search, including digital data carriers and administration. But the stolen loot is not justified more than four months later. It is feared that the gold objects are already abroad or that the gold has already been melted.
The robbery led to anger in Romania. Only a few days after the art., Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu demanded an “unprecedented compensation”. Ciolacu stated that the Dutch state is “full responsibility” for the situation that has arisen.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) informs NU.nl that it is “likely” that the ministry will pay the damage, based on the idemnity scheme. In the media an amount of 5.7 million is mentioned that the State would have to pay for compensation, but the amount to be paid is currently being calculated by the insurer.
“The payment follows as soon as the insurer has determined the damage,” says the spokesperson, who emphasizes that the payment is separate from the search of the police. “We continue to hope that the stolen objects will come back. If the helmet and bracelets are found after payment, the government can get the money back.”
Museum determines the value of artwork
“In principle, a possible payment is paid to the museum that made the application,” says Dolf Muller of the National Service for Cultural Heritage (RCE), who deals with the applications by museums to use the indemnity scheme. “A museum can also indicate the insurer as a beneficiary for the payment.” But how is the value of museum pieces that are invaluable because of their cultural, historical and artistic value?
“The museum itself does that, possibly with the help of an expert appraiser,” says Kunstverzekering expert Kees Boot. “The value of a museum piece is largely dependent on the exhibition value of the artwork for the museum. The attraction of a museum is determined by the documents that are shown.”
“In the event of theft, the insurer will designate an expert who checks whether the value of the museum piece corresponds to the amount for which it is insured. The amount for which the museum piece is insured is the amount that is paid by the insurer. The museum has the right to designate a counter-expert,” says Boot.
Since the introduction of scheme 8000 euros paid out
The indemnity scheme applies not only to theft but also to damage to borrowed art. If the stolen Romanian objects are found damaged, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is also responsible for the damage, which is also determined by the insurer in that case. For the Dutch state, stimulating cultural visits is more important than the risk taken. Minister EPP Bruins of OCW recently announced that an amount of 450 million euros per year was also reserved for the indemnity scheme for the next five years.
That is a lot of money, but in practice the state rarely has to pull the wallet. “Until now, with the indemnity scheme since 1989, a total of only 8,000 euros has been paid. This only concerned a few claims,” says Muller. This makes the theft in the Drents Museum an exceptional case.
The museum in Assen also pays a bit, in the form of a deductible. The amount depends on the total insured value of the exhibition.
The archaeological masterpieces That Were Stolen from the Drents Museum Earlier This year Have Not (Yet) Been Recovered. Several Media Outlets Reported that the Dutch State Must Pay 5.7 Million, But The Damage is Currently Still Being Calculated. What do we know?
Organizing Large, Temporary Exhibitions with Objects from Other Museums Costs a Lot of Money. This is mainly due to the insurance premiums, which are high for valuable art. Therefore, the so-called indemnity scheme has existed in The Netherlands Since 1989, which Stipulates That the State Assumes Part of the Risk of Important Loans.
The State Guarantees Damage and Theft, Insurers Are Willing to Give A Considerable Discount on the Premium, and the Costs for Museums Are Therefore Lower. For Example, Insurers have Given Discounts of Thirty to 40 percent in recent years. The Indemnity Scheme Therefore Ensures That Museums Can Organize Attractive Exhibitions. In Addition, The Guarantee Ensures that museums or private individuals are more willing to lend their art.
On Saturday, January 25, The Drents Museum in Assen Reported that “Archaeological Masterpieces” had Been Stolen The Night Before. Robbers Forced the Doors with Explosives, as can be Seen later from the Camera Images Below. The Loot Consists of Four Objects: The Golden Helmet of Cotofenesti From Around 450 BC and Three Golden Bracelets, which Were Made Around 50 BC.
The Stolen Pieces Were on Loan from the Romanian National History Museum in Bucharest as Part of the Dacia – Realm of Gold and Silver Exhibition about the Dacians, A People who Lived in Present -Day Romania More Than Two Thousand Years ago. Painful Detail: The Weekend In What the BorroPed Objects Were Stolen was also the Last Weekend They Were Exhibited. A Delegation from the Romanian Museum was to collect the Pieces on Sunday.
Damage from Theft at Drents Museum Not Yet Known
Since the Robbery, Seven People Have Been arrested, Six of Whom Are Still in Custody. Duration Searches, The Police Confiscated Various Items, Including Digital Data Carriers and Administration. But the Stolen Loot Has Not Been Recovered More Than Four Months later. It is feared that the golden objects are already abroad or that the gold has already leg melted down.
The Robbery Led to Anger in Romania. Only a few days after the art Theft, the Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu Demanded “Unprecedented Compensation.” Ciolacu Stated that the Dutch State Bears “Full Responsibility” for the Situation That Has Arisen.
A Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) Tells Nu.nl that it is “Likely” That the Ministry Will Pay the Damages, Based on the Indemnity Scheme. A sum of 5.7 Million is mentioned in the media that the state would have to pay in compensation, but the amount to be paid out is currently still being calculated by the insurer.
“The Payment Will Follow As Soon As the Insurer Has Determined the Damage,” Says the Spokesperson, who Emphasizes That The Payment is separate from the Police Search. “We continuously to hope that the stolen objects will be returned. If the helmet and bracelets are found after payment, the government can get the money back.”
Museum Determines Value of Artwork
“In principle, Any Payment is Paid to the Museum That Submitted the Application,” Says Dolf Muller of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), which Processes Applications from Museums to use the Indemnity Scheme. “A Museum can also designate the insurer as the beneficiary for the payment.” But How is the Value of Museum Pieces Determined, which are priceless due to their cultural, historical and artistic value?
“That is done by the Museum itself, Possible with the help of an expert Apraiser,” Says Art Insurance Expert Kees Boot. “The Value of a Museum Piece Largely DEPENDS on the Exhibition Value of the Artwork for the Museum. The Attraction of a Museum is determined by the Pieces That are show.”
“In the event of theft, The Insurer Will Appoint an expert to check Whether the Value of the Museum Piece Corresponds to the Amount for what it is insured. The amount for which the Museum Piece is insured is the amount that is paid out by the insurer. The museum has the right.
8,000 euros paid out since introduction of scheme
The Indemnity Scheme Applies Not Only to Theft But also to Damage to Borredwed Art. If the Stolen Romanian Objects Are Found Damaged, The Ministry of OCW is also Responsible for the Damage, which in that case will also be determined by the insurer. For the Dutch State, Promotion Cultural Visits is more important than the risk tasks. Minister Eppo Bruins of OCW Recently Announced that an Amount of 450 Million euros per year has also Been Reserved for the Indemnity Scheme for the next five years.
That is a lot of money, but in practice the state rarely has to reach into its wallet. “So far, only 8,000 euros have leg paid out in total with the indemnity scheme since 1989. This only concerned a few cases of damage,” Says Muller. This makes the theft at the Drents Museum An Exceptional Case.
The Museum in Assen also Contributes a Little, in the Form of a Deductible. The Amount of this Depends on the Total Insured Value of the Exhibition.