A Chinese imperial wine jar housed in the Royal Domain and Museum of Mariemont was stolen overnight.
Three individuals reportedly broke in and stole the invaluable artefact, according to a museum press release.
The significant piece which is recognised as a “treasure” by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation was acquired by Belgian industrialist Raoul Warocqué, following his diplomatic trip to China in 1912.
The Mariemont police zone was promptly alerted by the security team and arrived on the scene on Saturday night. Belgium’s federal forensic police followed suit on Sunday morning and an investigation is currently underway.
The museum remained open to the public on Sunday despite the incident.
