Cabinet maker Anthony Barry said after he purchased the three sculptures -- each only four-hundredths of an inch tall and mounted in the eyes of needles -- for the paltry sum, his girlfriend recognized then as the artistic pieces stolen from artist Willard Wigan in 2001, The Sun reported Saturday.

"I couldn’t believe it when I realized they were worth ($328,000) each," the 27-year-old said.

"I knew I had to give them back to Willard."

The sudden return of his creations -- depicting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tower Bridge and Jesus -- after so many years was shocking to Wigan, who credited Barry for his generosity and ethics.

"I was in shock," the artist told the British newspaper.

"Anthony is a genuine and honest man. I offered him a reward but he refused it.”