The unfinished bust of a Sudanese woman by early 20th-century artist Nathaniel Choate disappeared from an apartment in the Barclay Towers in November 2018.
Cherry Hill Police Chief Bud Monaghan said it's not clear if the sculpture from the 1930s was stolen.
"We're not sure at this point because we're really early on in the investigation as to whether or not the piece has just been misplaced, given to someone else or possibly stolen," he added.
Choate's works appeared regularly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Monaghan said Choate willed the bust to its current owner, and a relative of that owner had the sculpture at the Cherry Hill apartment to be used in a movie.
Since the bust was unfinished, it's difficult to place a dollar value on it, Monaghan noted.
"We understand that there is cultural, heritage significance to this piece, and the owner wants to have it returned," he added.
The owner is offering a reward for its return.
The FBI's Art Crime Team is helping Cherry Hill Police in the investigation. Anyone who has information about the missing sculpture is asked to contact Cherry Hill Police Detective Eric Fagen at 856-432-8826. Anonymous tips can be made at tips@cherryhillpolice.com.