Vienna, Austria ? A suspect in the theft of a $60 million Renaissance figurine turned himself in and police said Saturday they had recovered the object, stolen almost three years ago from an Austrian museum.

The Austria Press Agency said experts had established the authenticity of the figurine – the 16th century, gold-plated “Saliera,” or salt cellar sculpture by the Florentine master Benvenuto Cellini.

The sculpture, buried in a wooden case, was found near Zwettl, a town about 55 miles north of Vienna, said the official, who would not identify himself on the phone in accordance with Austrian practice.

He said the man, whom he also refused to identify, turned himself in Friday after police released photos of him identifying him as a suspect.

Authorities have worked to track down the Saliera since it was stolen from a showcase at Vienna’s Art History Museum on May 11, 2003.

It was created between 1540 and 1543 on commission from King Francis I of France, commonly considered that nation’s first Renaissance monarch.