India, Sept. 17 -- A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet has disappeared from the restoration laboratory of Cairo's Egyptian Museum, the country's ministry of tourism and antiquities has said.

The bracelet, a golden band set with spherical lapis lazuli beads, dates to the reign of Pharaoh Amenemope of the 21st Dynasty (1070-945 BC).

The ministry said the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution and that images of the piece have been circulated to antiquities units at airports, seaports and border crossings to prevent smuggling attempts.

Egyptian media reported that the loss was discovered during an inventory check in recent days, ahead of the Treasures of the Pharaohs exhibition, which will open in Rome at the end of October.

The bra...