Several pieces stolen from Vancouver museum

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Several gold pieces by one of Canada's best-known modern artists, Bill Reid, have been stolen from the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology.

Spokesman Scott Macrae said the break-in and robbery happened sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning.

"It was a collection of Bill Reid gold items, objects that had been created by Bill Reid," he said. "As well, some Inca gold necklaces" were stolen.

He said about 10 pieces were stolen but the exact number hadn't been confirmed.

"There had to be some damage (to the museum) in order for the items to be removed. To what extent that is I don't know" he said.

The value of the stolen pieces was not immediately known.

Reid is considered one of Canada's most important artists of the 20th century. The website for the Bill Reid Foundation lists four of his works that are used on the Canadian $20 bill.

He was trained as a goldsmith and worked in sculpture, carvings, jewelry and painting. His work reflected traditional Northwest Coast native art.

Reid died in 1998.

"It's Bill Reid's art. It's pretty much priceless," Macrae said. "For that stuff to go missing — it's really a terrible thing."

Police confirmed there was a break and enter at the museum but said more information would be released Monday.