Russia has long had a problem with its historic artifacts being stolen, sold, or trashed by the greedy or irreverent.

Since the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia has had to deal with domestic exploitation of historic relics and international treasure hunters trying to get pieces of Russia’s past.

Faberge Eggs

Faberge’s creations, along with the famous Faberge eggs, were casualties of a hasty, housecleaning government. After the forced abdication of Tsar Nicholas and his subsequent execution, the royal palaces had their contents packed away or sold for profit. Today, many of the eggs have turned up in the collections of established, wealthy families. Most recently, the Forbes collection of Faberge eggs was sold back to a Russian tycoon, who has placed them on display in Ekaterinburg.

The AmberRoom

During WWII, the Amber Room of the Summer Palace in St. Petersburg was disassembled by Germans, who hid the golden-colored panels. These have, unfortunately, never turned up. Whether they were dismantled even further to be sold piece by piece, or hidden in some long-forgotten secret spot, or reside in the collection of an anonymous treasure hoarder, they remain a part of Russian legend. Now the Amber Room has been refurbished in the image of its predecessor.

Scythian Remains

Archaeologists have sought to understand Russia’s past through the ritual burial practices of these former wanderers of the steppe. However, many times, the Scythian kurgans, or burial mounds, have been raided already by thieves, who can no doubt fetch a good price for Scythian relics on the international black market.

Hermitage Museum Pieces

In August of 2006, 221 pieces from the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg went missing. The items were estimated to have been worth over $5 million, though their historical value is much higher. The thefts took place over the course of six years. A curator’s son and staff members were responsible for taking artifacts as well as giving others accessibility to the museum’s treasures.

KGB Archives

The KGB archives hold proof of international espionage, the Stalinist purges, and other past Soviet activities. Much coveted by reporters, some of these documents have made their way into the press . . . or have they? Real or fake, documents allegedly originating in the archives have been sold to those willing to pay big bucks for them.

Religious Relics

Most recently, and perhaps most strangely, a holy relic from 16th century Russia went on sale online. The skull and bone, said to be of Saint Philipp, was part of the exhibit at the Soviet-Era Atheism Museum in St. Petersburg. After the closing of the museum, the pieces were packed up and put into storage. There was interest from potential purchasers, but the relics never sold, due to the owner changing her mind – possibly because of pressure from the Orthodox Church.

Russia’s historic artifacts are in dire trouble. Thefts and sales, along with poorly-funded museums, mean that the fate of these treasures hangs in unsteady balance.