Our regional newspaper, "The Yorkshire Post," carried the following news
in its Saturday, October 7, 2006, edition:

  "A rare musical clock valued at more than £365,000 [around $120,000]
  has been stolen from an historic Yorkshire house after a lone burglar
  broke in through a window.

  "The intruder forced his way into Temple Newsam House in Leeds by
  smashing the glass in a small window on the south side and forcing a
  metal grille with a pickaxe handle.

  "He or she stole the 2ft.-high antique from the Terrace Room on the
  ground floor before escaping on foot across the adjoining golf course.
  A security guard at the house alerted police after the burglary
  happened at 11.30pm on Thursday night.  Police said the fact that the
  burglar only took one item suggested it was a targeted, planned raid.

  "The clock dates back to the early 1800s and was made for the Thomas
  Weeks museum in London.  It was acquired by Leeds City Council in lieu
  of inheritance tax for £365,000 in November 1998.

  "Although the elaborate work of art is described as a clock, experts
  say the tiny watch dial is almost its least significant feature.  The
  painted face is surrounded by paste jewel flower spars, topped by a
  vase of flowers.  The middle section, decorated on the outside with
  panels formed from seed pearls, opens to reveal a vanity case fitted
  with gilt-mounted scent bottles, razors, scissors, toothpicks, a
  toothbrush, earpicks and other items associated with make-up and
  personal hygiene.

  "It also has a folding ruler and dividers for marking out needlework
  and a hinged ivory tablet for writing messages.  The lowest stage has
  three Bilston enamel panels with an open section in the front with a
  moving panorama of villagers dancing round a maypole accompanied by two
  unidentified tunes."

Anyone with information is asked to contact North East Leeds Police on
0113 2413659 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.

I have obtained a photograph and further details of the piece from the
police, which I will send to anyone requesting them.  Perhaps a reader of
the MMD will be offered this piece, or be asked to work on it, in which
case it might be possible to achieve its return to Temple Newsam.  You can
read more about this historic house at this website:
  http://www.leeds.gov.uk/templenewsam/

Andrew Pilmer.
York, England