Auschwitz mug reveals ring and necklace hidden for 70 years

A mug discovered at Auschwitz and on display at the infamous death camp has been found to contain hidden treasures.

Staff were conducting maintenance on the artefacts at the Auschwitz Museum when they discovered the humble mug contained a false base – inside which a ring and necklace has been concealed, wrapped in canvas.

The piece is one of 12,000 enamel kitchenware objects in the museum’s collection.

Hanna Kubik from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum said: “It was very well hidden. However, due to the passage of time, the materials underwent gradual degradation, and the second bottom separated from the mug.”

Museum director Piotr Cywinski said: “The hiding of valuable items proves on the one hand to the awareness of the victims as to the robbery nature of the deportation, but on the other hand it shows that the Jewish families constantly had a ray of hope that these items will be required for their existence.”