A statue belonging to a travelling South African circus has been stolen.
The concrete statue, believed to be of a Hindu goddess, was originally part of Madame Zingara, a travelling dinner cirque extravaganza that performs in one of the last antique mirror tents in the world.
It was stolen from outside a home in Upper Norwood earlier this month.
It is believed metal thieves took the statue, that is metallic in colour, from Copper Close, on Sunday, July 24, or in the early hours of the following morning.
The statue was in the possession of Angela Harper and her partner Charles Kruger after it was gifted to them by the circus in 2008.
The show, which was founded in South Africa in 2001, came to London seven years later to share its magic. But the economic climate forced the act to return home.
Unable to ship back the statue that had sat by the till, the circus owner gave it to his friend Mrs Harper.
Ms Harper, who moved to the address two weeks ago, said: “When the circus faced financial ruin we saved as much stuff we could for them, mostly sentimental items – the costumes and the statue.
“It is solid concrete and is heavy, it takes four men to lift it, that is the reason it was at the front of the house in the first place.
“It is painted so it looks like metal. I think the numpties may have nicked it thinking it was metal, and they could melt it down.
“The statue is of great sentimental value and it might appear dumped when it is realised it does not melt.
“It is unusual and if anyone sees it I would ask they call police, as we want it back.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
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