A YORKSHIRE dealer lost a lifetime's collection in one night when thieves stole the bulk of his Clarice Cliff stock built up over the last 25 years. Art Deco dealer Muir Hewitt lost around 55 pieces of Clarice Cliff when the thieves targeted his shop in the Redbrick Mill in Batley in the early hours of July 26.
It is thought they hid in the refurbished textile mill until
late at night before committing the robbery and breaking out
through the fire exit.
Among the Clarice Cliff ceramics taken were the unique Coral
Firs Yo Yo vase and the very rare Summerhouse Conical shaped Tea
for Two teaset, both of which were exhibited in the Liverpool
Walker Art Gallery in their Age of Jazz exhibition in 2005.
Other items taken included three René Lalique bowls and an
Etling bowl.
Also stolen were two bronzes by Josef Lorenzl, one 12 1/2in high
(32cm), the other 14 1/2in (37cm) high, along with a third bronze
and ivory figure by Barthelmy.
Mr Hewitt estimated that the stolen items had a combined retail
value of around £70,000.
The theft occurred almost exactly a year after he set up at the
Redbrick Mill. It appears it was a carefully targeted operation as
no other shops within the centre were broken into.
West Yorkshire police are investigating the matter. Anyone with
information should contact
seth.robinson@westyorkshirepolice.pnn.police.uk quoting the crime
number: 1308/314366.
Follow us on:
