Artifact missing from museum recovered at Watertown residence

By the Daily Times staff
Tuesday, January 6, 2004 12:57 PM CST

A Tibetan artifact, stolen almost four years ago from the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Wisconsin Dells, was recovered at a Watertown residence last week. In May 2000 the human skull bowl, inlaid with sterling silver with etched patterns, was pulled from a hole in the museum's display case and has been missing ever since.

Detective Jed Seidl, with the Wisconsin Dells Police Department, told the Daily Times this morning the name of the individual facing charges in the case will not be released until late next week. The person is currently incarcerated at Fox Lake Correctional Facility.

"I am finishing the case now and will issue a press release next week when the case is completed," he said.

The individual faces felony charges of theft, theft from a corpse and possession of stolen property with a maximum penalty of $10,000 and up to six years in prison.

According to Ripley's, the skull belonged to a saint and a bowl carved out of the interior was filled with wine and blood. Tibetan priests made an offering to the gods and drank the mixture which represented immortality. The piece was valued at $2,000 for insurance purposes.

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Robert Ripley was a New York cartoonist who traveled the world to collect oddities. His collections are on display in various museums and a television show also showcases his work.

Watertown Police Department Capt. Mark Meddaugh said the station was notified just prior to the Dec. 30, 2003, recovery.

"The Dells officers went to the residence and recovered the bowl," he said. "We did not participate in the case at all."

A press release issued by the Wisconsin Dells Police Department indicated detectives acted on initial information received by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Sauk County Sheriff's Department.