When was the painted wooden panel stolen from St Leonard's Church?

The painted wooden panel was stolen in 1996, 30 years before its recent recovery.

Who is commemorated by the stolen artwork?

The artwork commemorates George Cordell, who served in the royal households of three monarchs.

How was the stolen panel discovered after 30 years?

An Australian resident discovered the panel in an online auction catalogue and alerted the church.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Stolen Art Returns After 30 Years

Stolen Art Returns After 30 Years

10 Feb

•

Summary

A 1600s painted wooden panel was stolen in 1996 and found recently.
The artwork commemorates George Cordell, a royal household servant.
An Australian man discovered the panel at an auction house online.

A significant piece of church history, a painted wooden panel dating back to the 1600s, has been returned to St Leonard's Church in Flamstead, Hertfordshire, 30 years after its theft. The panel, which commemorates George Cordell, a distinguished servant in the royal households of three monarchs, vanished in 1996.

Its recovery began last December when Richard d'Apice, a member of Australia's Heraldry Society, spotted the panel in an online auction catalogue from his Sydney home. Research by d'Apice confirmed Cordell's burial at the church, prompting him to contact the vicar.

After initial skepticism, the vicar confirmed the panel's identity through church archives and police notifications. The auction house promptly removed the item from sale and facilitated its return. The artwork, once valued at £1,200, is now estimated to be worth nearly £3,000.