The Louvre Museum has announced the recovery of two valuable 18th-century snuffboxes that were stolen during a violent armed robbery at the Cognacq-Jay Museum on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The precious artifacts had been on loan from the Louvre as part of an exhibition titled "Luxe en poche" (Luxury in the Pocket).

The theft occurred during what authorities described as an unusually violent armed heist at the Cognacq-Jay Museum. The two snuffboxes, both of significant historical and cultural value, were among the items targeted by the robbers. The incident shocked the art community due to its brazen nature and the rarity of such violent crimes in Parisian museums.

Thanks to a particularly thorough investigation conducted by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB), France's specialized anti-gang police unit, the stolen artifacts have been successfully recovered after several months of intensive work. The investigation demonstrated the dedication of French law enforcement to protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

The recovered pieces include a snuffbox created by Johann Christian Neuber in Dresden between 1763 and 1770, catalogued as inventory number OA 63. The second piece was crafted by an unidentified goldsmith in Berlin during the period from 1760 to 1770 and bears the inventory number OA 2142. Both items represent exceptional examples of 18th-century decorative arts and craftsmanship.

The Louvre Museum confirmed that both snuffboxes, recognized for their great historical and patrimonial value, will return to the galleries of the Department of Decorative Arts very soon. This successful recovery ensures that these important cultural artifacts will once again be available for public viewing and scholarly study.