Ittai Gradel, gems expert who uncovered British Museum thefts, dies aged 61

Danish classical gems specialist Itaii Gradel died on 28 April aged 61 after playing a central role in exposing thefts from the British Museum. Gradel first warned the museum in 2021 that objects were being sold on eBay and later named senior curator Peter Higgs as the suspected seller; after further warnings in October 2022, he was told there was “no evidence” to support the allegations. In January 2023, the museum reported to police that hundreds of items had been stolen or damaged, and it later said around 2,000 items were affected—1,500 stolen and 500 damaged (including 375 with gold removed)—with 626 recovered by last year and a further 100 identified in May 2025 as targets for recovery. Higgs was dismissed in July 2023 (and denies wrongdoing), and director Hartwig Fischer resigned on 25 August 2023, citing the museum’s inadequate response to Gradel’s 2021 warnings; under Fischer’s successor Nicholas Cullinan, searches continue, and Cullinan recently presented Gradel with a special British Museum award.

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