拢230m stolen Mao Zedong scroll cut in half 'because new owner thought it was too long'
The 2.8 metre-long (9ft) object was taken along with six other scrolls, 24,000 Chinese stamps and 10 rare coins.
Thursday 8 October 2020 13:31, UK
A stolen calligraphy scroll, written by former Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong and said to be worth about 拢230m, has been found cut in half, Hong Kong police say.
The 2.8 metre-long (9ft) object was taken from art collector Fu Chunxiao's home in the city on 10 September, according to officers.
The burglars also made off with six other scrolls, 24,000 Chinese postage stamps and 10 coins while Mr Fu was in mainland China due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is thought the total haul was worth £500m.
After it was stolen, the Mao scroll fell into the hands of a new owner - who bought it for just 500 Hong Kong dollars (£50), reports claim.
He believed it was a counterfeit and thought it was too long to display, so decided to cut it in half, the South China Morning Post said.
Tony Ho, superintendent of Hong Kong's organised crime and triad bureau, told the paper: "Someone thought the calligraphy was too long - and it was difficult to show and display it.
"That's why it was cut in half."
Mr Fu, a well-known collector of stamps and revolutionary art, told the Post he was very upset about the damage.
He said: "It was heartbreaking to see it be torn into two pieces. It will definitely affect its value, but the impact remains to be seen."
Mr Fu said he had wanted to donate the calligraphy work before the burglary happened, although he did not say to whom, adding he was now unsure when it would be returned to him.
"I have not made a decision as to how to deal with it, [and won't] until I get it back," he added.
Police have arrested three men in connection with the burglary and on suspicion of providing assistance to criminals, and at least two people linked to the raid are still at large, Mr Ho said.
A small number of the other stolen items have been found, but the 24,000 stamps and six other scrolls are still missing.
Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, was considered a skilled calligrapher, with his style now referred to as "Mao-style" script. A number of his works are displayed in public throughout China.