Thieves steal gold boxes from Rothschild Collection

LONDON -- Burglars have stolen more than 100 gold boxes and other valuable items from the Rothschild Collection of art at Waddesdon Manor in southern England.

"This is a very serious loss," Lord Rothschild said Wednesday. "Waddesdon encapsulates generations of Rothschild collecting, and the gold boxes at Waddesdon are among the finest in the world."

Neither the police nor Waddesdon would indicate the value of the stolen art.

Thames Valley Police said as many as five men, driving a blue van, are believed to have broken into the manor early Tuesday. The stately home, built in the 19th century to house the banking family's Renaissance art, 18th century furniture, porcelain and English portraits, belongs to the National Trust.

Police using tracker dogs and a helicopter carried out an extensive search and a car believed to have been used in the burglary was later found burned out and dumped.

Police said it was an organized raid by professionals who knew what they wanted.

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, who came to England from Germany in 1859, bought 3,000 acres of land in Buckinghamshire and had the manor built. It is near Aylesbury, 50 miles northwest of London

The estate was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1957 by James de Rothschild but the family has maintained an interest in helping with the day-to-day running of the manor and the current Lord Rothschild has continued with this role.