A 2,500-year-old Cotofenesti golden helmet from Romania, loaned to the Drents Museum in Assen for an exhibition, was recovered in the Netherlands after a theft last year.

The heist at the Drenthe province cultural-history museum involved thieves using a homemade firework bomb and a sledgehammer to break into display cases, with three gold bracelets also stolen.

Art-world figure Arthur Brand described the recoveries as a clash between police, collectors, insurers, and criminals, positioning himself as a broker in these high-stakes recoveries.

The helmet and bracelets had been on loan from Romania's National Museum of History in Bucharest and the theft sparked outrage in Romania and concerns about cultural heritage security.

Prosecutor Corien Fahner described the recovery as a positive outcome and said search efforts for the remaining armband would continue.

Prosecutors were preparing an official Thursday announcement about the helmet’s recovery along with three bracelets; authorities had been pursuing leads across the investigation.

Three suspects are awaiting trial, with proceedings expected to begin in about ten days, while another part of the case remains unresolved.

Public interest and ongoing searches continued as authorities worked to recover all stolen artefacts and close the case.

The artefacts had been under strict protection at the museum, and authorities found a burned-out car nearby, suggesting its use during the robbery.

Romanian and Dutch prosecutors called the recovery a major achievement and pledged to continue efforts to recover the remaining bracelet, with several suspects set for trial.

The incident prompted a high-profile investigation with heavily armed police and a public news conference, underscoring the historic significance of the loot for both nations.

The recovered items were returned to the museum and secured behind a glass case with armed police; one bracelet remains missing.