Los Angeles police are currently conducting an ongoing investigation to uncover valuable leads pertaining to the theft of an exquisite Buddha statue weighing nearly 250 pounds. This one-of-a-kind artwork is estimated to be worth around $1.5 million and was stolen from a gallery located near West Hollywood.
The authorities were alerted to the incident when they received a report of a burglary at the Barakat Gallery, situated in the 900 block of North La Cienega Boulevard between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, just before 10:30 am on Monday.
The surveillance footage from the gallery, aired on local news channels, revealed that the theft took place around 3:45 am on the same day. The stolen statue originated from Japan’s Edo Period, spanning from 1603 to 1867.
“I hold this statue in incredibly high regard,” expressed gallery owner Fayez Barakat during an interview with KTLA. “Previously, I had it displayed in the backyard of my home, but when I moved it here to the gallery, I decided to exhibit it in our backyard for the delight and admiration of all our visitors.”
According to reports, the perpetrator gained entry by breaking into the driveway gate and utilized a dolly to transport the statue onto a truck within just 25 minutes.
Barakat further described the incident to KTLA, stating, “A gentleman arrived and I believe he used a rope or a chain to secure the statue. He then proceeded to pull it towards his rented van, eventually placing it in the back.”
Barakat admitted to being “heartbroken” by the loss of such a significant piece. Paul Henderson, the director of Barakat’s Los Angeles location, expressed the shock of museum officials, who were amazed that a lone thief managed to successfully steal the 4-foot-tall statue, despite its considerable weight, and escape in a Budget rental truck. They suspect that the robbery was meticulously planned in advance.
Henderson voiced their collective bewilderment, telling theartnewspaper.com, “We’re all very puzzled. Not only is this item of high value, but it also possesses immense aesthetic and historic significance. It’s an extraordinary and truly unique temple sculpture from that particular era. Given its rarity, it is highly unlikely to be found on the market, making it difficult to resell.”
Henderson continued, stating, “We are still endeavoring to comprehend the motive behind the theft, as well as what the thief plans to do with this remarkable piece.”
The sculpture is attributed to an artist named Tadazou Iinuma, as reported by an international art website. It features an inscription that, when translated, reads, “Produced by Tadazou Iinuma, first year of Shouho, Kanoe. Prayed for and requested by Ryozen, master of Shingon religious party, Dainichi-Nyorai, Yudo-no-San Temple, of the highest social class.”
The inscription suggests that the sculpture was commissioned by a religious figure named Ryozen and was likely installed at the Yudo-no-San Temple, a revered location on Mount Yudono in Japan, as stated on theartnewspaper.com.
“I sincerely hope that the individual responsible for this theft wasn’t solely driven by the statue’s bronze weight, considering its historical significance,” Barakat pleaded. “Whoever stole it potentially realized its extraordinary worth and may have even commissioned someone, a specialized thief, to carry out the criminal act.”
In addition to the Los Angeles gallery, Barakat also operates establishments in London and Seoul.
Anyone in possession of information regarding the stolen sculpture is strongly urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-275-5273.
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