The Manor House Museum at the Groot Constantia wine estate is run by Iziko Museum and dates from the 17th century. It was robbed over the weekend of 19 Chinese porcelain antique pieces estimated to be valued at about R50 million. The burglars had forced open a back window. This is the third such incident in South Africa recently, and it is now suspected that a syndicate specialising in Chinese porcelain is in operation. In May last year, Chinese porcelain to the value of R500 000 was stolen from the Academy of Science and Art in Pretoria. When Manor House staff opened up on Monday morning, they discovered that items had been stolen. About 10 years ago, Groot Constantia was robbed by burglars who broke through the roof. Artinsure, the company that insured the pieces, said it would conduct an investigation into how and why the burglars were able to escape with the pieces without being detected. The items will almost certainly be exported to the East or sold undercover to a Chinese buyer in South Africa. Groot Constantia dates from 1685 when the land was given to the first Governor of the Cape Colony, Simon VAN DER STEL. The estate's collection of antiques includes furniture, paintings, textiles, ceramics and brass. The Manor House will be closed until further notice.
24 May 2012 - About half of the stolen pieces have been recovered, according to Warrant Officer November Filander. Workers found 10 pieces on a nearby farm in Groot Constantia between Monday night and Wednesday. No arrests had been made. Police were waiting for fingerprint results. There is an online register of the stolen art on the insurer's website.