Wiesenthal Centre demands Christie’s stop auctioning ‘Nazi aryanised collections’
Wiesenthal Centre argues the auction ''World of Heidi Horten: Magnificent Jewels' should be cancelled since Horten profited from Nazi looting of Jewish department stores.
The Wiesenthal Centre is demanding that British auction house Christie’s withdraw an auction named “World of Heidi Horten: Magnificent Jewels,” due to Horten profiting from Nazi “aryanisation” of Jewish department stores.
Heidi Horten was married to Helmut Horten, who worked in a department store during the rise of the Nazi regime in 1933.
Helmut profited from “aryanisation laws. In 1937, Horten strengthened his relationship with the Hitler’s regime, when he joined the Nazi party.
He also obtained a Jewish business in the Netherlands after they were deported by the Nazis. When a post-war survivor sued to get his property back, he lost the case against Helmut in front of German judges who had allegedly been former Nazis.
Helmut died in Switzerland in 1987, leaving his fortune to his wife who died last year.
Wiesenthal Centre demanded that the auction taking place in Geneva between 3-15 of May be cancelled “or else to make exhaustive catalogues available to the greater public – through all media outlets – of the present Horten sale, as well as all upcoming sales of jewellery, musical instruments, books, silverware or other artwork that could be the fruit of ‘aryanisation’ or Nazi looting of Jewish property.”
On the one hand, this could be the last chance for survivors to recognize their family heirlooms. On the other hand, owners aware of ill-earned items are becoming more frantic to sell, especially after the widely publicized case of Gustav Klimt’s “Lady in Gold”, finally restituted in 2006. Research on art stolen by the Nazis has been gaining momentum.
“As restitution is often too late, we call upon Christie’s in your own language, to establish a foundation that will be directed to a philanthropic cause: for Holocaust survivors, their families and Holocaust education,” Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, said in a letter to Christie’s CEO.
“Thus, we expect you to announce that this May sale marks an initiative dedicated to the ‘Lessons of the Holocaust’,” he added.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
