Entire collection of antique silver stolen from Zilvermuseum in Doesburg
The Zilvermuseum in the Gelderland town of Doesburg was robbed overnight, the museum said in a press release. “The entire collection of antique silver has been stolen.” The value of the stolen objects is estimated at tens of thousands of euros, Omroep Gelderland reported.
The museum is located in the Martini Church in Doesburg. On LinkedIn, the museum calls itself “the smallest museum in the biggest church in Doesburg.”
According to the museum, two men entered the church through the tower entrance at around 4:30 a.m. They forced open the museum door with a crowbar, smashed all the display cases, and stole the entire silver collection.
“We are closed for the time being. We have almost nothing left. Only some ceramics, which were temporarily on display, were left behind,” museum chairman Ernst Boesveld told the broadcaster.
“This is not just a theft of silver, but of stories, craftsmanship, and history,” said Martin de Kleijn, founder of the Zilvermuseum Doesburg. “Objects carefully collected for decades have disappeared overnight. This affects me personally, but also the city of Doesburg.”
The museum’s collection of antique silver originated from over 20 countries. The collection included silver mustard pots, spoons, and objects from the butter, vinegar, and tobacco industries. Among the stolen items is a silver mustard pot with a spoon that was specially designed for the museum.
The Zilvermuseum links the theft to the price of silver, which has risen sharply in recent months due to the geopolitical situation. The massive uncertainty has investors opting to push their money into precious metals like gold and silver. “Although the cultural and historical value of the collection cannot be expressed in money, this development significantly increases the financial damage,” the museum said. The museum is insured.
The police are investigating the theft. A spokesperson told NOS that investigators are currently collecting video footage from the area around the church.
