A panel from the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry has been stolen while the work was on display at Edinburgh's St Giles Cathedral.
A man stole the artwork at around 3.30pm on Sunday and made off with it, via the shop, on to the High Street in the Royal Mile.
Cathedral bosses say they are disappointed and saddened over the loss of the panel - one of 305 which make up the tapestry.
The missing piece is a 50cm x 50cm white linen square displaying hand stitched religious images.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact police.
The suspect is described as white, 6ft tall with a slim build, a receding hairline with short cropped hair at the sides and a fair complexion.
He was wearing a long-sleeved white top, light-coloured trousers and was carrying a jacket.
Detective Constable Chris Harding, of Gayfield CID, said: "The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry is a priceless piece of artwork with great historical significance - and this brazen act of destruction and theft has left the owners of the tapestry and the staff at St Giles Cathedral shocked.
"As part of our inquiries, we are keen to hear from anyone recognises the description of the suspect, or who is approached by anyone looking to sell or pass on the stolen panel.
"In addition, anyone with any further information that can assist with our ongoing investigation should come forward."
Sarah O'Connor Phemister, visitors centre manager at the cathedral, said: "We're disappointed and very sad that a panel of the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry was stolen while on display in St Giles.
"We are doing everything we can to assist the police in their investigation and are hopeful that the panel will be recovered.
"This beautiful artwork has been lovingly sewn, by people across the globe, as a celebration of the contributions of Scottish people and their descendants. As such, its value is beyond price."
In September 2015, a panel from the Great Tapestry of Scotland was stolen while while it was on display in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and has never been found.
A team of stitchers last week unveiled a panel they had painstakingly recreated to replace the missing piece.
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