Man allegedly Swallows $19,000 Pendant in New Zealand, Police Await Natural Passage
Auckland, New Zealand - A man is under police guard in New Zealand after allegedly swallowing a $19,000 (NZD $30,000) pendant inspired by a James Bond film too prevent its seizure as evidence in a separate examination. Authorities are now awaiting the natural passage of the item, a strategy deemed the safest course of action.
The incident unfolded after police attempted to execute a search warrant related to unrelated matters at a property in Auckland.According to Detective Inspector Scott Beard, the man swallowed the pendant – described as a distinctive, high-value piece – when officers moved to seize it. “Given the item’s value and the potential risks associated with a surgical retrieval, we’ve determined the safest option is to wait for it to be naturally eliminated,” beard stated. The man is currently under medical observation and police surveillance.
The pendant’s design is reportedly reminiscent of jewelry featured in a James Bond movie, adding a layer of intrigue to the case. While the initial investigation focuses on unrelated offenses,the swallowing of the pendant has triggered a separate inquiry into potential charges related to obstructing justice and the attempted concealment of evidence.
Fabergé eggs, renowned for their intricate designs and historical meaning, have long captivated collectors and art enthusiasts. Commissioned by the Russian Imperial family, these opulent creations were a tradition initiated by Czar Alexander III, who presented an egg to his wife each Easter. His successor, Nicholas II, extended the gift to his wife and mother.
Czar Nicholas II commissioned an egg for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, as an Easter present in 1913. It was one of two eggs created by female designer Alma Pihl; her other egg is owned by Britain’s royal family. The Romanov royal family ruled Russia for 300 years before the 1917 revolution ousted it. Nicholas and his family were executed in 1918.
These eggs often changed hands following the 1917 revolution, as the cash-strapped Communist authorities sold off Russia’s artistic treasures. One such egg, originally bought by a London dealer for 450 pounds in the 1920s, was auctioned by Christie’s in 1994 for over $5.6 million and again in 2002 for $9.6 million, each sale setting a world record price for a Fabergé item.
Margo Oganesian, head of Christie’s Russian art department, has described a Fabergé egg as “the ‘Mona Lisa’ for decorative arts,” highlighting their superb craftsmanship and design. Faberge created 50 Imperial Easter Eggs for the Romanov family over 31 years,and 43 survive today,mostly housed in museums.
agence France-Presse contributed to this report.
