Latest British Museum News

The British Museum names Nicholas Cullinan its new director as it tries to get over a rocky patch

Mar. 28, 2024 09:09 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The British Museum on Thursday appointed National Portrait Gallery chief Nicholas Cullinan as its new director, as the 265-year-old institution grapples with the apparent theft of hundreds of artifacts and growing international scrutiny of its collection. Previous...

The British Museum is suing a former curator it says stole 1,800 items and tried to sell them

Mar. 26, 2024 21:18 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The British Museum went to court Tuesday against a former curator alleged to have stolen hundreds of artifacts from its collections and offered them for sale online. The museum is suing Peter Higgs, who was fired in July 2023 after more than 1,800 items were...

Old Masters and Roman statues vie for the attention of well-heeled collectors at Dutch art fair

Mar. 07, 2024 07:44 AM EST

MAASTRICHT, Netherlands (AP) — Old Masters, Roman statues, modern furniture, tribal masks and vintage watches are vying for the attention of well-heeled collectors as the TEFAF art fair opened on Thursday in the southern Netherlands. The show takes place in a cavernous exhibition...

A pair of UK museums return gold and silver artifacts to Ghana under a long-term loan arrangement

Jan. 25, 2024 10:47 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — Two British museums are returning looted gold and silver artifacts to Ghana under a long-term loan arrangement as U.K. institutions face increasing demands to hand over treasures acquired at a time when the British Empire ruled over people around the globe. The...