Historic 17th century Macau embroidery stolen at Hong Kong exhibition

A 17th-century artefact from Macau was still missing after it was stolen a week ago during an international exhibition in Hong Kong.

A yellow velvet embroidered tapestry featuring a front-facing dragon was stolen in the early hours last Friday at the International Arts and Antiques Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), its owner Teresa Coleman said.

"There seems to have been virtually no security at the time to protect the antiques displayed despite the very high rental paid," Coleman wrote in a statement. 

The convention centre referred questions on security to the fair's organiser, Chak's Investment, who denied allegations of lacking security. "It is very safe," said the company's Toby Chan. "Security was double from last time."

Coleman said she had just bought the embroidery several weeks ago. It was supposed to be the centrepiece for an exhibition at her gallery about Ming dynasty textiles for religious use, which started this Friday. She estimated its value to be around HK$310,000.

She had already once owned the piece some 15 years ago and only just bought it back, Coleman said.