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The chequered history of Colin McCahon's sculpture Iron Cross now has another twist, as the man accused of stealing the valuable artwork has handed over $22,000 to legitimate purchaser Lloyd Morrison.
The man said he found the sculpture abandoned in 2004, kept it for about 18 months, and then decided to sell it through auction house Dunbar Sloane.
Infratil chief executive Mr Morrison bought the artwork legitimately at auction for $25,000.
But the Iron Cross was seized in a police raid on his home last month after the family of deceased Wanganui artist Joanna Paul alleged the sculpture was stolen from a locked safe in her old art studio.
Dunbar Sloane Sr said the vendor approached him last week wanting "to clear things up" and yesterday presented a $22,000 bank cheque to staff in Wellington.
"He said, `It was turning into the crime of the century, It was bigger than the (stolen Victoria Cross) medals'," he told The Dominion Post
Mr Sloane said he did not believe that the vendor had acted with criminal intent.
Police are yet to decide whether to lay theft charges, or if the sculpture will be returned to the Morrison family.
However, they will now be reimbursed in full, with Mr Sloane making up the $3000 difference.
"The Morrisons will probably be a little sad still because they would have preferred to have the iron cross back," he said.
- NZPA
