The Wiltshire based, Iford Manor Estate with Grade I listed Garden has issued a public appeal on their social media channels for the return of three statues from the icon garden.
Marianne Cartwright-Hignett explained that the statues were stolen sometime between Thursday night (19/06) into Friday morning, during their high summer visiting season and their annual Jazz Festival.
The stolen items include:
- Large She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus, including the bronze base
- Pair of symmetrical fawns, copies of the Villa Dei Papyri fawns
- Bust of Antinous
“Such a huge loss for everyone. The garden here has had international visitors since 1910 and we have 20,000 visitors each year (April – September) who will now no longer see the statues. They were integral to the design, especially the She-Wolf, with her removal it feels like the very heart of Iford has been ripped out. For over 120 years she has guarded the valley here from her plinth. Until now,” said Cartwright-Hignett.
Calling for public awareness of the theft, Cartwright-Hignett asked the public to share their own photos of the statues on social media to build a repository of images for identification. Wiltshire Police have launched an investigation and are asking for witnesses to any suspicious activity in the area between 10.45pm on Thursday evening and 8am on Friday morning to come forward, or if you have any information on the whereabouts of the items. Antique dealers and auction houses to look out for the items.
The public can leave information on 101 quoting reference 54250075348, or anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
“Thank you ever so much to everyone for helping to get the word out there. Let’s restore these iconic statues back to their rightful place for everyone to continue to enjoy them, now and long into the future,” added Cartwright-Hignett. “Fingers crossed they will turn up. Even if in a lay-by we will glad come and rescue them, especially the She-Wolf.”
