Diamond-encrusted swords and intricately designed brooches stolen from a former royal palace in Germany may never be seen again, experts warn. The items, part of a collection created in 1723 by Saxony’s ruler, Augustus the Strong, are so recognisable that thieves are likely to break them up.

Artworks taken from the Dresden Green Vault are described as “priceless”.

The head of Dresden state museums, Marion Ackermann, said destroying the  artworks would be a “terrible idea”. “We are talking here about items of ines timable art-historical and cultural-historical value,” she said. “We cannot put an exact value on them because they are priceless.” Police have released a series of photos of the stolen jewels and appealed for witnesses.(BBC)…[+]