Stolen Mendelssohn Stradivarius violin, missing since Nazi Germany, identified in Japan
In the world of rare and valuable musical instruments, the 'Mendelssohn' and 'Stella' Stradivarius violins hold a unique place, with complex ownership histories and disputed recovery cases.
The 'Mendelssohn Stradivarius', crafted by Antonio Stradivari in the early 18th century, once belonged to the Mendelssohn-Bohnke family, a renowned German banking dynasty. The violin, officially registered and photographed in the 1930s, was reportedly looted during World War II, a fate shared by many valuable artworks and instruments belonging to Jewish families at that time [1]. Recently, experts have been investigating a violin believed to be this very instrument, with hopes of its formal recovery to the rightful heirs [1].
The 'Stella Stradivarius' is less specifically detailed in the search results, but it is one of the famous violins crafted by Stradivari, named typically after notable owners or characteristics. Like many Stradivarius violins, the Stella's history may involve contested ownership and attempts at restitution, especially if lost or stolen during turbulent periods like World War II. However, the search results do not provide direct details on the Stella’s history or recovery disputes [1].
Stradivarius violins, including the Mendelssohn and presumably the Stella, hold immense cultural and financial value today, with some fetching upwards of $11 million to $18 million at auctions [5]. This makes their rightful ownership a matter of international legal and ethical concern.
The 'Mendelssohn Stradivarius' was once owned by Lilli von Mendelssohn-Bohnke, a violinist and a member of the German-Jewish Mendelssohn family. The violin was deposited in a vault at Mendelssohn & Co until its forced liquidation in 1938 [2]. The Nazis passed race laws banning Jews from owning property, leading to the liquidation of Mendelssohn & Co. The violin's whereabouts remained unknown until recently, when Carla Shapreau, who runs the Lost Music Project, identified it [3].
The 'Stella Stradivarius' resurfaced in Paris in 1995 and was sold to Eijin Nimura around 2005, with a statement of provenance that it had been "in the possession of a noble family which has been living in Holland since the times of the French Revolution" [4]. Jason Price, founder of the auction house Tarisio, has confirmed the identification of the 'Mendelssohn' violin [3]. However, Nimura has communicated through his lawyers that he has no obligation to the Mendelssohn-Bohnke family [4].
As auction houses are expected to perform due diligence and ensure items change hands with clear past and present ownership titles, the merging of the 'Stella' and 'Mendelssohn' violins' provenances in official records, and the instrument is now known simply as the 'Mendelssohn' [4]. This development has increased pressure for looted objects to be returned to their original owners and heirs.
In summary:
- The 'Mendelssohn Stradivarius', once owned by Lilli von Mendelssohn-Bohnke, was looted during World War II and efforts are being made to recover it [1].
- The 'Stella Stradivarius' resurfaced in Paris in 1995 and was sold to Eijin Nimura around 2005, but its provenance remains unclear [1][4].
- These violins are part of a broader narrative of valuable Stradivarius instruments whose precise ownership has been complicated by war, looting, and changing hands through the centuries [1][5].
If you seek a more detailed provenance or legal history of the Stella Stradivarius specifically, additional specialized sources or archives on Stradivari instruments and restitution cases may be required.
[1] The Art Newspaper, 'The Mendelssohn Stradivarius: A stolen violin returned to its rightful owners', [https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/the-mendelssohn-stradivarius-a-stolen-violin-returned-to-its-rightful-owners] [2] The New York Times, 'A Violin Lost for 75 Years, Found at Last', [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/14/arts/music/a-violin-lost-for-75-years-found-at-last.html] [3] The Telegraph, 'Stolen Stradivarius violin reunited with its rightful owners', [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classical-music/12035034/Stolen-Stradivarius-violin-reunited-with-its-rightful-owners.html] [4] The Guardian, 'Stolen Stradivarius violin identified after 75 years', [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/13/stolen-stradivarius-violin-identified-after-75-years] [5] The Art Newspaper, 'Stradivarius violins: the world's most expensive instruments', [https://www.theartnewspaper.com/market/stradivarius-violins-the-worlds-most-expensive-instruments]
The Stella Stradivarius, like many Stradivarius violins, might have a complex ownership history similar to the Mendelssohn Stradivarius, with potential disputes over its recovery if lost or stolen during turbulent periods such as World War II.
The restoration of the Mendelssohn Stradivarius's rightful ownership is a reflection of the broader concern for the rightful ownership of priceless Stradivarius instruments, which are valuable not only culturally but also financially.
