Coțofenești helmet. 450 BCE. National History Museum of Romania. Photo: Ing. Marius Amarie

Artnet_ Four centuries-old gold treasures were stolen during a heist at a museum in the Netherlands. The thieves entered the museum in the early hours of Saturday morning by blasting several windows open with explosives, and the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, from the 5th century BCE was among the precious objects taken. It has been on loan from a museum in Romania.

The museum was closed for the remainder of the weekend and has not yet announced its reopening. The police have launched an investigation into the objects’ disappearance but no suspects have yet been arrested. They will have to act fast. Though some artworks are stolen to be sold, precious materials like gold are often stolen to be melted down for their material value.

Dutch police were alerted to reports of an explosion at the Drents Museum in the city of Assen at around 3:45 a.m. local time on January 25. They discovered that multiple artifacts had been stolen, three Dracian bracelets dating from 50 BCE and the 2,500-year-old Cotofenesti helmet. The museum building has also been damaged but nobody was injured.

The golden helmet of Cotofenesti, on loan from the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest, was covered in decorations related to Getic mythology. One of the most prominent features are the stylized eyes on the helmet’s front, influenced by Corinthian or Chalcidian helmets, which were intended to discourage an enemy during battle. The Dacian gold spiral bracelets were unearthed from sacrificial pits and it is understood they were never worn but instead intended as offerings.

The precious artifacts were taken from the exhibition “Dacia—Empire of Gold and Silver,” which opened in July and was just about to close to the public on Sunday. It contained more than 50 gold and silver pieces from Romania in the period from the 20th century BCE to the 3rd century C.E. A report in the NL Times claimed that extra security had been put in place for the show’s run but that no guard had been in the exhibition hall at the time of the heist.

Dacian bracelet from Sarmizegetusa Regia, 50 BCE. Photo: Ing. Marius Amarie, courtesy the National History Museum of Romania

Last fall, thieves used explosives to break into another Netherlands-based art gallery in the early hours of November 1, attempting to make off with a set of Andy Warhol prints. The works were hastily cut from their frames and two were left discarded on the street in what the gallery owner deemed an “amateurish” stunt.

The Dutch art historian Arthur Brand spoke to the NL Times about the use of explosives to enter museums. “Against this kind of break-in, no museum can fully protect itself,” he said. “The thieves have realized this method works. The sky is the limit; the gates are wide open. This is deeply concerning on all fronts. Police and government must find answers quickly.”

“This is a dark day for the Drents Museum in Assen and the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest. We are intensely shocked by the events last night,” said the Drents Muesum’s general director, Harry Tupan, on Saturday. “It also gives us enormous sadness towards our colleagues in Romania.” A Romanian delegation visited the museum on Sunday, according to the NL Times.

An announcement of the heist on the museum’s official Instagram has become an outlet for the ire of some Romanian commenters. One user, criticized the “casual” tone of the post. “It feels like being robbed of part of your identity and history,” they added. “Shame on you for treating these pieces without the respect and protection they deserved!”

“I have translated the description under this post yet no formal apology has been given,” wrote another user. “As a Romanian citizen, I perceive this as a gross lack of respect and responsibility.”

In a statement on its website, the museum said: “We extend our heartfelt sympathy to our colleagues at the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest, from whom the stolen artworks were borrowed. Our hope is that the artworks will be returned in undamaged condition, given their immense cultural and emotional value to many people.”

The museum declined to give any further comment when contacted by Artnet News.

The Dutch police suspect that multiple individuals were involved in the heist and CCTV footage at least three figures preparing to explode the door. Their investigation into the incident includes forensic examinations of the site, a review of security footage, and an appeal to the public to share any tips or potentially relevant footage from door cameras or dashcams. The police have also enlisted the help of Interpol, an international organization for combatting crime.

One possible lead is a vehicle that, at around 4:15 a.m., was reported being on fire at an intersection near the village of Rolde, which lies some six kilometers east of Assen. A police statement suggested that the perpetrators may have “switched to another vehicle in the vicinity of the fire.”