Jamie Walker, Axe-wielding heist of priceless Egyptian treasures sparks calls for national museum audit, The Australian, 20 February 2026
The accused thief who put an axe through armoured glass to steal priceless Egyptian antiquities from the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology north of Brisbane did more than break Michael Strong’s heart – the brazen heist trained a spotlight on a little-known paradox of the artworld.
Exactly how many masterpieces are held in community-based collections like the Abbey’s is anyone’s guess – as are the safeguards around them – and veteran curator Mr Strong says that’s not good enough.
The good news is that the haul of a 2300-year-old-plus mummy mask, a rare painted sculpture of a cat god from the 26th Dynasty, a faience and glass necklace dated to the 19th Dynasty 3300 years ago and an ornate pectoral collar was speedily recovered, though some of the fragile pieces were damaged.