Bronze statue of Greek god stolen from estate

The statue of the Greek god Hermes was believed to have been taken from the stately home on Monday night

A large bronze statue of a Greek god has been stolen from the garden of an Elizabethan stately home.

The sculpture of the deity Hermes, which has sat in a pond in the grounds of Holdenby House near Northampton for more than 100 years, is believed to have been taken between 23:00 BST on Monday and 08:30 on Tuesday.

Estate owner James Lowther said: "His theft is almost unbearable for us, and everyone at Holdenby - and we - are praying for his return."

It is believed thieves gained access via the A428 with a vehicle.

'Living in hope'

Mr Lowther said: "Mercury (the Roman name for the Greek god Hermes) has been such an important icon for Holdenby and something I have loved since I was a child.

"It is heart-breaking to see this much-loved piece of public art so crudely and cruelly cut from his pedestal.

"Those who stole him saw only a piece of metal that could be absconded with for private profit."

He added: "We live in hope that he will be returned home and urge anyone with information to come forward."

A spokesperson for the estate said the statue was "an important copy of the famous Seated Hermes, excavated from Herculaneum in 1758".

"His theft is a loss not only of an important historic work of art, but of a landmark feature much loved by the family, the community and Holdenby’s visitors."

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: "Officers are now appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area during the stated times, or who has any information about the theft, to get in touch."