The scale of Bernard Madoff’s attempts to transfer family valuables was revealed on Wednesday as US prosecutors detailed the contents of at least five packages shipped from his apartment to relatives and others.

The list reads less like a court document than a catalogue of the trappings of Park Avenue privilege: diamond Cartier and Tiffany watches, a diamond bracelet, four diamond brooches, a jade necklace, a gold watch and other assorted jewellery.