The find, described by investigators as a "treasure trove," occurred in two warehouses - one in Willebroek and one in Brussels - and consists of hundreds of objects, paintings, musical instruments and jewels, including a vase by French Art Nouveau artist Emile Gallé and a bronze sculpture by Flemish sculptor George Minne, a contemporary of Khnopff and Meunier who created two well known fountains with kneeling figures in Ghent and outside the Senate building in Brussels (shown).

The stolen objects were stashed by a former art dealer who was under investigation by police in France on suspicion of handling artworks stolen by a group of thieves from wealthy homes and galleries in Paris. French police, armed with an international arrest warrant, took part in last week's raids. The man is expected to be extradited to France.