michel becker created the eleven paintings for the book, as well as the final prize, the golden owl statuette. the statuette is 10 inches (25 cm) high, 20 inches (50 cm) wide, and weighs 33 lbs (15 kg). it is entirely made of gold and silver, with diamonds on the head. in 1993, the owl was estimated at 150,000 euro. a legal protector holds it, in paris. becker also created a replica made of bronze, which was buried somewhere in france by hauser on the night of 23 april 1993. the treasure hunt was launched on 15 may 1993.