# Argus Cultural Property Consultants


## Posts

- [New Book "Thirteen Perfect Fugitives"](https://arguscpc.com/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum-heist/): We are proud to announce the new book by Argus Cultural Property Consultants partner Geoffrey Kelly about the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist. Thirteen Perfect Fugitives: The True Story of the Mob, Murder, and the World’s Largest Art Heist The true story of the world’s largest art heist, as told by the FBI agent who investigated the case. On March 18, 1990, thirteen works of art were plucked from the walls of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston by two subjects posing as police officers. They rang the night bell, claiming they were responding to a call of a disturbance. After incapacitating the […]
- [A Wake-Up Call for Museums](https://arguscpc.com/louvre-museum-theft/): Complacency, underfunded security, and misplaced trust have left the world’s collections more vulnerable than ever. The recent thefts from the Louvre should shake every museum director and curator to their core. Prestige does not equal protection. A world-renowned name will not stop a determined thief. The world watched priceless works disappear from one of the most respected cultural institutions on Earth. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. Too many museums have grown comfortable with risk. Security plans collect dust. Cameras and sensors age out. Guards are told to prioritize hospitality over vigilance. Leaders convince themselves that art […]
- [Argus Cultural Property Consultants Featured Worldwide Following Louvre Heist](https://arguscpc.com/louvre-heist/): FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Media Rep Global StrategiesEmail: jpack@mediarep.usPhone: (865) 235-1217Website: www.arguscpc.com WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the high-profile jewel theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris on October 19, Argus Cultural Property Consultants was featured by international media for expert analysis on museum security and the protection of cultural heritage. The theft, which took place during museum open hours, renewed global concern about how even the most prestigious cultural institutions can be vulnerable to sophisticated criminal activity. Argus experts provided insight into investigative patterns, risk management, and prevention strategies for museums and private collections worldwide. “Any time cultural property is stolen, the loss […]
- [Inside the FBI Art Crime Team and Its Most Unusual Case](https://arguscpc.com/inside-the-fbi-art-crime-team/): Argus CPC founder and managing director Tim Carpenter recently chatted with Chris Carr from the Secrets & Spies podcast about his new book The Grave Robber. In this gripping account of the biggest stolen artifacts case in FBI history, Tim recounts the investigation into Don Miller, a collector cum looter who raided archaeological sites all over the world and kept human remains in his Indiana home. As lead investigator for this shocking case, Tim managed a huge team of agents, local police, anthropologists, tribal representatives, and others to document the crime, return artifacts to their rightful owners and, most importantly, […]
- [Still Missing...“Soldier on Horseback” by Anthony van Dyck](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-soldier-on-horseback-anthony-van-dyck/): Approximately five and one-half years ago, “Soldier on Horseback,” a painting by 17th century Flemish Baroque master Sir Anthony van Dyck, was stolen from the Christ Church Picture Gallery in Oxford, England. Where the Theft Happened Christ Church is one of the more than thirty different colleges that make up the University of Oxford, often called Oxford University, in the town of Oxford, England. The University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, has been in continuous existence for more than 800 years. All undergraduate students at Oxford become members of a particular college, as well as of the […]
- [Inventory Controls Keep Your Collections Safe](https://arguscpc.com/inventory-controls-keep-your-collections-safe/): Inventory controls – what is in your collection, where it is located, and who is responsible for maintaining that information – is perhaps the most important aspect of collections management. According to the AAM Code of Ethics for Museums, U.S. museums are organized as public trusts with the responsibility to ensure the collections in their custody are “lawfully held, protected, secure, unencumbered, cared for and preserved.” Artworks or other cultural objects are especially vulnerable when being moved, whether for conservation or a loan to another institution. Without strict internal controls and management – including where collection items are located at […]
- [Still Missing...“The White Duck,” by Jean-Baptiste Oudry](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-white-duck-oudry/): More than thirty years ago, “The White Duck,” also known as “Le Canard Blanc,” a painting by 18th century French artist Jean-Baptiste Oudry, was stolen from Houghton Hall in Norfolk, England. Where the Theft Happened Houghton Hall, in Norfolk, England, is the residence of the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley. It was built in 1722 by Sir Robert Walpole, a British statesman and the de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain. Walpole, viewed as one of the greatest politicians in British history, is known as the longest-serving British prime minister, holding that position, in all but name, from 1721 to […]
- [Still Missing...Maud Lewis Christmas Cards](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-maud-lewis-christmas-cards/): Almost nine months ago, three framed Christmas cards by famed Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis, valued at approximately $10,000 CAD each, were stolen and are still missing today. Where the Theft Happened The three framed Christmas cards were stolen from a home on the 1900 block of Cambridge Street in the south end of Halifax, Nova Scotia sometime between November 21 and 24, 2024. How the Theft Happened Almost nothing is known about the actual theft.  It was reported to the Halifax police on November 25, 2024. No suspects were ever identified, but local police believe that the theft […]
- [Still Missing...Arbit Blatas Self Portrait](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-arbit-blatas-self-portrait/): Almost thirty years ago, over 200 paintings by Lithuanian artist Arbit Blatas, including a self portrait, were stolen from a storage unit rented by the artist and his wife in New York City. Most of those paintings are still missing today. Where The Theft Happened In early 1995, artist Arbit Blatas and his wife, famed mezzo-soprano Regina Resnik, who were residents of New York City, were renting one of the 3,000 storage bins at Manhattan Mini Storage at 543 West 43rd Street in Manhattan. Blatas and his wife had used their unit to store part of their art collection since their […]
- [What is Provenance and Why It's Important](https://arguscpc.com/what-is-provenance/): Provenance. It’s a lofty term you’ll often hear bandied about in the art world. Simply put, it’s the record of ownership of a work of art, from its creation by the artist’s hand to the present day. Think of it as a chain of custody for the art world. For many collectors, a piece’s provenance is as important – if not more so – than the piece itself. The documentary evidence of where the piece was exhibited and sold, which galleries and auction houses it visited, and everyone who owned it; all of these myriad facts are the intangible window-dressing […]
- [U.S. Museums Embrace Voluntary Repatriations of Cultural Property](https://arguscpc.com/voluntary-repatriations-cultural-property/): In recent years, there’s been a notable and promising trend of voluntary cultural property repatriations by museums, particularly in the United States. This isn’t primarily about Nazi-looted art or Native American human remains and other cultural items, which are separate categories. These cases rather focus on antiquities and other artifacts that are increasingly being returned to their country of origin. It’s important to distinguish between voluntary repatriation, where a museum and/or country of origin initiates the return under ethical (not legal) considerations, and situations involving the intervention of police. More and more, institutions are proactively addressing the complex histories of […]
- [Still Missing...“La Femme à l’Éventail” by Amadeo Modigliani](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-modigliani-femme/): Almost fifteen years ago, “La Femme à l’Éventail,” also known as “Woman with a Fan,” by Amadeo Modigliani and four other paintings by modern masters, were stolen from the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM Paris).  Similar to the theft of a Delacroix and other paintings from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the theft of a Renoir and other paintings from the Hotel de Ville in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, the thief gained access to the museum at night and took advantage of alarm malfunctions. A Little History About Where The Theft Happened MAM Paris is one of […]
- [New Book "The Grave Robber"](https://arguscpc.com/grave-robber/): We are proud to announce the new book by Argus Cultural Property Consultants founder and managing director Tim Carpenter. The Grave Robber: The Biggest Stolen Artifacts Case in FBI History and the Bureau’s Quest to Set Things Right The unbelievable true story of how one man stole tens of thousands of priceless artifacts and human remains from around the world—and the FBI’s massive undertaking to set things right. Due in stores October 14, 2025. Reserve your copy today! Synopsis In The Grave Robber, Tim Carpenter, former FBI Lead Investigator on the Art Crime Team, recounts one of the most extraordinary and unsettling […]
- [Using AI to Enhance Museum Security](https://arguscpc.com/ai-museum-security/): There’s no question that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already having an impact on securing art collections, and museums of all sizes must devote time to exploring the technologies already on the market. Today, even medium-sized museums often have well over one hundred cameras in operation. Obviously, it’s impossible to monitor all of them at the same time, and the infrequency of events in the museum environment can lead to complacent or inattentive guards—especially when the museum is closed. However, if there wasn’t a risk associated with a certain location then there wouldn’t be a camera in the first place. With AI-enhanced […]
- [Still Missing...“Roses dans une Verre” by August Renoir](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-stolen-art-renoir/): More than fifty-two years ago, “Roses dans une Verre” (also known as “Roses in a Vase”) by August Renoir, as well as fourteen other paintings and a lithograph, was stolen from the Musée Albert André, a small museum in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, in southern France. Similar to the “Skylight Caper” artwork theft in Montreal, Canada just two months earlier and the theft of Cézanne’s Paysage d’Auvers-sur-Oise from the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford, England in 2000, the thieves gained access to the museum through the roof. A Little History About Where The Theft Happened The museum was initially established in 1868 by […]
- [Still Missing...“Lionne et lion dans Leur Antre" by Eugène Delacroix](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-lionne-delacroix/): Almost fifty-three years ago, an oil on canvas painting by Eugène Delacroix, Lionne et Lion dans Leur Antre, also known as Lioness and Lion in a Cave, was stolen from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, along with a number of other paintings and objects, in the largest art theft in Canadian history.  That theft has become known as the “Skylight Caper.” As with the theft of Cézanne’s Paysage d’Auvers-sur-Oise from the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford, England  in 2000, the thieves gained access to the museum through a skylight. A Little History About Where The […]
- [When the Storm Takes More Than Just Your Home: The Overlooked Vulnerability of Cultural Collections in Natural Disasters](https://arguscpc.com/cultural-collections-in-natural-disasters/): The sky has turned an eerie shade of green, the kind that signals something ominous on the horizon. The winds are already howling outside your window, bending the palm trees to their breaking point. The local news station repeats its urgent warning—the hurricane has intensified to a Category 5 and is heading straight for your town. Your home is more than just four walls. It holds your most prized possessions, including your rare book collection—first editions of Melville, Faulkner, and Hemingway, the delicate pages of illuminated medieval manuscripts, and a fragile but priceless assortment of original letters from the American […]
- [Still Missing...“Two Laughing Boys with a Mug of Beer” by Frans Hals the Elder](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-two-laughing-boys-frans-hals/): In January, we wrote about four paintings stolen from the Museu Chácara do Céu in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during Carnival. Two of those paintings, a Dali and a Matisse, had been stolen before. This month’s “Still Missing” story is about a Frans Hals painting, “Twee Lachende Jongens,” also known as “Two Laughing Boys with a Mug of Beer” that has been stolen not twice, but three times, from a small museum, the Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden, in Leerdam, Netherlands. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden (“Hofje van Aerden”) is a museum and hofje […]
- [Art Crime Investigation Overseen by Argus CPC Founder Recognized by the Archaeological Institute of America](https://arguscpc.com/aia2025-award/): The largest cultural property case ever investigated by the FBI’s Art Crime Team has been acknowledged by the Archaeological Institute of America with its 2025 Outstanding Public Service Award. Argus CPC founder and managing director Tim Carpenter led the FBI’s recovery of over 7,000 items from the rural Indiana property of Don Miller, who spent seven decades illegally looting and collecting artifacts around the world including human remains. During the investigation, Tim worked closely with Dr. Holly Cusack-McVeigh (Associate Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies, Indiana University Indianapolis), her students, and Native American tribes to ensure the respectful identification and […]
- [Argus CPC Talks Stolen Paintings and Convictions for FBI Retired Case File Review Podcast](https://arguscpc.com/fbi-retired-case-file-review-podcast/): Argus CPC partner Geoffrey Kelly recently sat down with retired FBI agent, author and podcaster Jerri Williams to discuss his investigation of Robert Mardirosian for possession of stolen art and the recovery, over 30 years after the crime occurred, of a Paul Cézanne painting valued at $29 million and other artwork stolen during the largest residential burglary in U.S. history. Thanks to Geoffrey’s intense work on the case, and assistance from the Art Loss Register, Mardirosian was convicted at trial in Boston and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The case involved many twists and turns, from clandestine meetings […]
- [Still Missing...Four Paintings Stolen from Museu Chácara do Céu](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-paintings-from-museu-chacara-do-ceu/): Almost nineteen years ago, in February 2006, four paintings, works by Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso, were stolen from the Museu Chácara do Céu in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.  All four paintings are still missing today. Where the Theft Happened The Museu Chácara do Céu is an art museum situated in the Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The name of the museum comes from its former life as a residence of Brazilian businessman and art patron Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya. Since 1876, that home had been known as Chácara do Céu. That […]
- [The Weakest Link in Museum Security](https://arguscpc.com/the-weakest-link-in-museum-security/): By Bill Anderson, Art Guard This article first appeared on the Art Guard blog, December 10, 2024 If diminished funding and smaller budgets aren’t enough to challenge the existence of many museums we were reminded of another glaring vulnerability. Smash-and-grab assaults occurred in two smaller French museums in the last several weeks. At the Cognacq-Jay Museum display cases were demolished by men wielding axes and baseball bats. Seven ornate snuff boxes valued at $1M were removed right in front of visitors. Two days later, in an apparently unconnected event, thieves walked into the Hieron Museum, fired shots and headed right […]
- [Still Missing...“A Cavalier” by Frans van Mieris](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-cavalier-by-mieris/): More than seventeen years ago, a self-portrait by Dutch Golden Age master Frans van Mieris the Elder, entitled “A Cavalier (Self Portrait),” was stolen from the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. This is Australia’s most significant art theft to date. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The Art Gallery of New South Wales, with a collection of over 40,00 Australian, European and Asian artworks, was founded in 1872 as the New South Wales Academy of Art to promote the fine arts through exhibitions, art classes and lectures. The first public exhibition held at the gallery took […]
- [Still Missing...Early 20th Century Guestbook of Hermann and Louise Wolff](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-wolff-guestbook/): Sometime between 2002 and 2022, a guestbook documenting the visits of prominent musicians, composers, diplomats and others to the Berlin home of classical music impresarios Hermann and Louise Wolff in the early 20th century was stolen from the archives of the Berliner Philharmoniker, also known as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Hermann Wolff, born in 1865 in Cologne, grew up in Berlin. Although he followed his father into business and was a trader on the Berlin Stock Exchange, his true passion was music. While working on the stock exchange, he began to also work for a music publishing firm and eventually set up […]
- [Still Missing...“Paysage d’Auver-sur-Oise” by Paul Cézanne](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-paul-cezanne/): Almost twenty-five years ago, while the world was welcoming a new millennium, a painting by Paul Cézanne, “Paysage d’Auvers-sur-Oise,” also known as “View of Auvers-sur-Oise,” was stolen from the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford, England. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology (“the Ashmolean”), dating back to 1678, is Britain’s first public museum and the world’s second-oldest university museum. Its first building, located on Broad Street in Oxford, was specifically built to house a collection that included antique coins, books, engravings and geological and zoological specimens given by Elias Ashmole […]
- [Still Missing...Paul Signac Watercolor “Seine in Paris”](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-seine-in-paris/): Over eighty-three years ago, property belonging to Adalbert and Hilda Parlagi was confiscated by the Nazis in Vienna, Austria. That property included an early Monet pastel, “Bord du Mer,” which was returned to the Parlagi family descendants by the FBI earlier this month, through the assistance of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe. Other artwork, including a watercolor by French Neo-Impressionist Paul Signac, is still missing. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened Adalbert “Bela” Parlagi, born in Budapest, was a successful businessman and art collector who had moved to Vienna as a young man. He and his wife […]
- [Still Missing...John James Audubon Shotgun](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-audubon-shotgun/): Over fifty-two years ago, in mid-March 1972, a 19th century double-barreled shotgun that had belonged to American naturalist and artist John James Audubon was stolen from the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, the oldest continuously operating science institution in the Western Hemisphere, was founded in 1812 “for the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences, and the advancement of useful learning.” Its Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences was the first peer-reviewed publication in the United States devoted to the natural sciences, with the first […]
- [Still Missing...Man with a Pipe (Portrait of an American Smoking) by Jean Metzinger](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-metzinger-man-with-a-pipe/): Over twenty-five years ago, between July 27 and August 2, 1998, Jean Metzinger’s early 20th century cubist painting, “Man with a Pipe,” also known as “Portrait of an American Smoking,” disappeared in transit while on loan from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened Lawrence University, a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin, was founded in 1847 after Amos A. Lawrence pledged $10,000 to endow a school in the Wisconsin Territory.  Amos Lawrence, born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1814, was an 1835 graduate of Harvard College. After graduation, he […]
- [Still Missing...Seven Silkscreen Prints From Andy Warhol’s Campbell's Soup I Series](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-seven-warhol-silkscreen-prints/): Over eight years ago, on April 7, 2016, seven of the ten silkscreen prints from set 31 of Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup I” series were stolen in an overnight burglary from a pop art exhibit at the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri. The prints stolen were Warhol’s monumental depictions of Campbell’s Beef, Vegetable, Tomato, Onion, Green Pea, Chicken Noodle and Black Bean Soup cans. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The beginnings of the Springfield Art Museum, the city’s oldest cultural institution, sprang from a seven-member women’s Art Study Club formed in 1926 by Deborah D. Weisel, […]
- [Is Your Collection a Target? The Growing Threat of Vandalism by Activists](https://arguscpc.com/is-your-collection-a-target-the-growing-threat-of-vandalism-by-activists/): By now, most of us have seen these images. A pair or small group of environmental activists stage a protest in front of a high-profile painting, artifact, or historic monument. Some splash it with paint, soup, or cake. Many glue their hands to the front of the artwork directly or to the protective glass; others to the picture frame or adjacent wall. Then, the activists proclaim their message or demands such as ending the use of fossil fuels. Images from Just Stop Oil and Declare Emergency All museums, galleries, and cultural institutions that are custodians of collections or historic monuments should […]
- [Still Missing. . .Jeweled Dagger and Scabbard Gifted to President Truman](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-jeweled-dagger-and-scabbard-gifted-to-president-truman/): Over forty-five years ago, on March 4, 1978, priceless ceremonial swords and daggers given as gifts to President Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third president of the United States, while he was in office, were stolen from the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence, Missouri. One of those gifts, from King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, was a dagger, with a gold hilt encrusted with emeralds, rubies and diamonds, in a bejeweled scabbard. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library opened in 1957 with a research library and galleries […]
- [Still Missing. . .1776 & 1758 Powder Horns](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-1776-1758-powder-horns/): Over fifty-three years ago, in June 1971, more than 30 historical firearms and other artifacts, including two engraved powder horns from 1776 and 1758, were stolen from the Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie, New York. A Little History About Where the Theft Happened The Old Stone Fort Museum is located in Schoharie County in the Mohawk Valley region of New York around the eastern Great Lakes. Schoharie County was long occupied by the Kanienkehaka, one of the five nations, along with the Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca, of the Iroquois Confederacy (later Six Nations with the addition of the Tuscarora in the […]
- [Still Missing. . .Two Wilhelm Schimmel Eagles](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-two-wilhelm-schimmel-eagles/): Over forty-five years ago, in the winter of 1979, two very similar pieces of American folk art – wooden eagles with spread wings carved by Wilhelm Schimmel in the late 19th century – were stolen from two museums in Pennsylvania. One of those Schimmel eagles was stolen on January 9, 1979 from the Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania; the second was stolen from the York County Historical Society in York, Pennsylvania between February 16 and 24, 1979. A Little History About Where the Thefts Happened The Reading Public Museum was founded by Dr. Levi W.S. Mengel. Dr. Mengel, who […]
- [Protecting Our Cultural Heritage: A Call to Action for Congress](https://arguscpc.com/protecting-our-cultural-heritage-a-call-to-action-for-congress/): In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged as climate activists, protestors, and other bad actors have targeted priceless works of art and other cultural objects for damage and destruction. These acts, often intended to draw attention to urgent issues, instead leave lasting scars on humanity’s cultural heritage and the institutions that house and protect that heritage. As this trend has gotten worse, so, too, has the need grown for effective solutions to combat the threat.  While we might hope that public outcry and negative reaction would be enough to dissuade this reprehensible activity, efforts to carry out such attacks […]
- [Still Missing. . .The Washington Flintlock Rifle](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-the-washington-flintlock-rifle/): This missing piece of history is a late 18th century Pennsylvania flintlock longarm with a barrel by J. Philpy, a lock by James Golcher, and a patchbox indicating that it was presented to President George Washington at Mount Vernon in 1790. Some History About the Theft The Washington Flintlock Rifle is another of the 32 historic items, in addition to the Ferguson Rifle discussed last week, stolen from the Valley Forge Historical Society in an overnight burglary on October 24, 1968. It was identified by the historical society as an “Kentucky style” flintlock rifle with a lock by James Golcher. […]
- [Still Missing. . .The Ferguson Rifle](https://arguscpc.com/still-missing-the-ferguson-rifle/): Fifty-five years ago, on October 24, 1968, a Revolutionary War-era musket, along with 31 other historic items, was stolen in an overnight burglary from the Valley Forge Historical Society in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  To date, only the musket has been recovered. On July 1, 2024, just three days before Independence Day, I participated in the gifting of that musket by Chubb, who had insured the musket, to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. It was my last last official act for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The musket had been recovered by […]
- [Introducing our new series: “Still Missing. . .”](https://arguscpc.com/introducing-our-new-series-still-missing/): Pieces of history from museums and cultural institutions across the United States and, indeed, around the world are lost to the public as the result of thefts stretching from the recent past to decades ago.   Several partners of Argus Cultural Property Consultants have been involved in the gratifying recovery of these types of cultural treasures after a plea to the public to help find them has succeeded. With our new blog series, “Still Missing . . .” we are continuing that recovery effort. Every Monday, we will highlight one stolen cultural treasure and the institution from which it was […]
- [3 Keys to Museum Security](https://arguscpc.com/keys-to-museum-security/): Securing a museum, like all other forms of security, requires a careful balancing act between protection and accessibility.  Consider a jewelry store. In order to sell valuable gems, customers must be able to see them, first through clear glass cases and then, should they be interested in a purchase, outside of the case and up close. The seller has little option but to allow this access if they want to make a sale. To balance this access, the store might secure its points of egress through a switch that unlocks them and is accessible only to the employee. The store […]
- [Argus CPC Sponsors Art Law Conference 2024](https://arguscpc.com/argus-cpc-sponsors-art-law-conference-2024/): Argus Cultural Property Consultants is pleased to sponsor this year’s Art Law Conference at the Brooklyn Law School. This annual conference is organized by the Center for Art Law, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that offers educational resources and programming for the advancement of a vibrant arts and law community. The various case studies presented at the conference illustrate the many risks and pitfalls that continue to plague artists, dealers, collectors, and institutions. These include fraud, litigation, claims, and theft. The team at Argus CPC has deep experience in navigating the nuanced and complex landscape of art and cultural property law. If you are […]
- [Major Recovery of a Stolen Work in Romania](https://arguscpc.com/major-recovery-of-a-stolen-work-in-romania/): On Friday, Christ Church Art Gallery, Oxford, together with the Thames Valley Police, announced the recovery of one of three paintings stolen in March of 2020 from the famous campus. Salvator Rosa’s A Rocky Coast, with Soldiers Studying a Plan was taken in a daring overnight heist on the very evening that the university went into lockdown due to COVID-19. The methodology of the heist seemed to hint towards some complicity on the part of insiders at the storied university. It remains unclear as to who exactly stole the paintings. Romania is known by international authorities to be a hotbed […]
- [The Everyday Security Threat to Museums](https://arguscpc.com/the-everyday-security-threat-to-museums/): It’s not just about theft. Far from it. While big heists grab the headlines and documentaries (and book deals, I should humbly add), there exists a much more common threat to museum collections, and one that is far more difficult to prevent—vandalism. In 2021 an interesting piece in the Rochester City newspaper, by David Andreatta, brought this issue to the forefront. Andreatta told the story of George Haag, a man with what appears to be some mental health issues who was in criminal court facing charges of attempted theft of a piece from an Andy Warhol exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery earlier […]
- [Experts in Protecting and Preserving Valuable Collections](https://arguscpc.com/experts-in-protecting-and-preserving-valuable-collections/): Argus Cultural Property Consultants is a leading firm that specializes in providing comprehensive solutions for protecting, recovering, and preserving valuable collections. With a team of world-class professionals in the cultural property protection industry, Argus CPC is dedicated to assisting clients in safeguarding their most prized possessions. At Argus CPC, we understand the immense value and significance of cultural property, whether it be fine art, antiquities, manuscripts, or other precious artifacts. Our team brings together a wealth of knowledge and expertise to address the unique challenges faced by collectors, museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions. Our consultants have extensive experience in […]
- [Introducing Argus Cultural Property Consultants](https://arguscpc.com/introducing-argus-cultural-property-consultants/): We are thrilled to announce the launch of Argus Cultural Property Consultants, a prestigious firm featuring the foremost team of highly experienced professionals in the cultural property protection industry.  Founded by Tim Carpenter, former head of the world-renowned FBI Art Crime Team, along with some of the best names in the industry, Argus Cultural Property Consultants sets the new standard for cultural property protection firms.  With our extensive expertise and passion for preserving art and cultural heritage, we are committed to providing world-class services to our clients. At Argus Cultural Property Consultants, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored […]

## Pages

- [Calendar](https://arguscpc.com/calendar-2/)
- [Calendar](https://arguscpc.com/calendar/)
- [Security](https://arguscpc.com/security/): BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES Gain Confidence Your Cultural Heritage Collection is Secure The paintings, antiques, and historic properties you own or manage are among your most important assets. Not investing in up-to-date security measures and protocols increases risk and may someday result in disaster. We offer physical security consulting services to protect art and cultural property collections and heritage sites from potential threats such as burglaries, theft, vandalism, damage, or other criminal activities. We evaluate and advise on: Argus Cultural Property Consultants helps residential, museum, corporate, and government clients identify and remedy security vulnerabilities with solutions that are affordable, sustainable and […]
- [Entertainment Services](https://arguscpc.com/entertainment/): WE ARE Subject Matter Experts in Art Crime, Security, Law and Cultural Heritage Argus Cultural Property Consultants are frequently featured by major media outlets for expert commentary on art crime, museum security, and cultural heritage protection. Founded by retired FBI Art Crime Team Head Timothy Carpenter, Argus brings global perspective and real-world experience to protecting cultural property worldwide. We provide media and entertainment consulting services to a diverse range of productions, including: We have the deep knowledge and exciting stories to enrich your scripted and non-scripted projects, and to ensure your final product is accurate and complete. Trust us to […]
- [Collections Management](https://arguscpc.com/collections/): WE OFFER Custom Solutions For Your Collection Let us partner with you to protect your collections of fine art, historic and cultural objects, and high-end collectibles for today and future generations. We offer a broad range of consulting and management services for collections of any size to mitigate risks associated with their maintenance and preservation. These include deterioration from poor storage and display conditions, legal claims when ownership history is not thoroughly documented, and thefts when security protocols and inventories are not in place. Our experts provide residential, museum, corporate, and government clients with peace of mind that their collections […]
- [Emergency Services](https://arguscpc.com/emergency/): WE ARE Experts in Logistics and Emergency Response Conflicts and natural disasters are the thing of nightmares for collectors, museums, and other stewards of cultural heritage. In situations of civil unrest, extreme weather events, and other emergencies, it is critical to be prepared and respond quickly to save lives and cultural objects and historic sites under your care. The agile team at Argus Cultural Property Consultants has the skills and expertise to work in any emergency context, especially non-permissive environments where instability and inaccessibility constrain the ability of government agencies and cultural institutions to operate safely and effectively. We help […]
- [Investigations and Recoveries](https://arguscpc.com/investigations/): WE ARE Specialists in Art Theft, Damage, and Fraud Cases With decades of experience as art crime special agents and prosecutors, our trusted and dedicated team is committed to investigating, recovering, and ultimately returning priceless fine art, antiques, and other cultural items to their rightful owners. We are best known for conducting complex investigations related to theft, fraud, money laundering and other types of art crime-related matters. Whether the crime happened five hours ago or 50 years ago, our world-class investigators will examine your case and take the necessary steps to recover your cultural assets or losses. Our principals are […]
- [Legal Support](https://arguscpc.com/legal/): DON’T GO IT ALONE Navigate the World of Art and Cultural Property Law with Confidence With our extensive experience in the cultural property arena, Argus Cultural Property Consultants stands ready to provide legal advice, assistance and education to museums, galleries, auction houses, insurance carriers, governments and collectors for art and cultural property concerns, issues and disputes. Our expertise covers a diverse range of art law issues, including: Services We Offer Litigation Assistance We provide advice on litigation strategy and procedures as well as expert testimony and testimony preparation for cultural property matters, including contract and ownership disputes, restitution claims, and […]
- [Consulting](https://arguscpc.com/consulting/): WE ARE Experts in Managing and Safeguarding Art and Cultural Property Collections and Heritage Sites Theft, damage, fraud, and legal claims are just some of the risks that pervade the art and cultural heritage sectors. Our holistic approach to protection ensures the security and integrity of valuable cultural assets like fine art, antiquities, antiques, high-end collectibles, and heritage sites. Argus Cultural Property Consultants serves museums, galleries, collectors, government agencies, and the insurance and financial sectors with advanced qualifications in security, investigations, law, and international relations. We offer a broad range of cultural heritage protection products and services including security risk […]
- [Argus Events](https://arguscpc.com/argus-events/): Sharing Our Expertise in Art Crime, Museum Security, and Cultural Property Protection We contribute to the international art and cultural heritage community through public lectures, blogs, webinars, and podcasts. You can find us at conferences, workshops, trade shows, and other events, building partnerships with people who share our passion for history, culture, and the arts. Here are some of our upcoming events: Speaking Book us for your next donor group meeting, lecture series, podcast, or student program. We have the ability to speak on a wide range of topics, from museum security to art crime, legal issues, and recoveries/repatriations. We […]
- [Training](https://arguscpc.com/training/): EDUCATION PROGRAMS Boosting Your Protection Efforts You have the passion and the drive but maybe lack the skills and know-how to protect and preserve your priceless collections and heritage sites. Let us help you reach your goals through a robust education program that is practical, hands-on, and collaborative. Our proficient team has conducted thousands of hours of training on cultural heritage protection, security, investigations and cultural property law across the globe. From museum staff to law enforcement and customs agents to professional trade organizations, we have delivered the highest standards of education to cultural heritage professionals in a wide range […]
- [Home](https://arguscpc.com/): Argus Cultural Property Consultants We are a global risk management firm specializing in the protection and preservation of fine art, antiquities, antiques, high-end collectibles, and heritage sites. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and recover vulnerable and at-risk art and other cultural heritage, and to provide education and training for its protection and preservation. We help clients identify and remedy protection gaps with solutions that are tailored, sustainable and industry best practices. Like you, we are dedicated to safeguarding the world’s cultural treasures. WORK WITH US Our Services Staffed and led by some of the most trusted and experienced names […]
- [News](https://arguscpc.com/news/)
- [Contact](https://arguscpc.com/contact/): We are ready to work with you. Whatever your challenge, we have the solution. Let us be part of your team to see what we can do together. Book your free consultation for: By Email contact@arguscpc.com By Phone +1 (202) 240-2355
- [About](https://arguscpc.com/about/): Who We Are Argus Cultural Property Consultants is a global risk management firm specializing in the protection and preservation of fine art, antiquities, antiques, high-end collectibles, and heritage sites. We fill a significant need in today’s cultural landscape for deep knowledge, innovative and practical solutions, and timely professional services. We are headquartered in Little Rock with presence in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC. and the western United States. Our team comprises some of the most well-known names in the cultural heritage protection world with decades of experience and unparalleled expertise in art crime investigations, legal counsel, physical security, research, and training. […]


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