New Zealand police arrested a man suspected of stealing — and swallowing — a James Bond-inspired Faberge pendant worth some $19,000 (€16,300).

After six days of supervising the the 32-year-old suspect's bowel movements, police said the limited-edition Faberge egg had been recovered late on Thursday.

Police said the piece of jewelry came out of the thief's body naturally, without any medical intervention.

They also provided a photo of the recovered pendant and the attached price tag, which stayed intact despite going through the thief's digestion system.

Inspector Grace Anderson said police would continue monitoring the man.

"Given this man is in Police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred," she said.

Faberge egg one of 50

The egg was inspired by the 1983 film "Octopussy," starring Roger Moore.

An online description of the pendant highlights its "beautiful 18k gold lattice framework which is delicately set with blue sapphires and white diamonds in a floral-like design."

Only 50 such eggs were made. The egg in question was snatched during a heist at a jewelry shop in Auckland.

The gold and gems-decorated Easter eggs by became famous across the world in the late 19th century.

Edited by: Zac Crellin