Traced in Japan: The elusive Mendelssohn Stradivarius violin, confiscated by the Nazis, has been located
In a remarkable discovery, a 1709 Stradivarius violin, known as the 'Mendelssohn', has been identified after being missing for nearly 80 years.
The violin, originally owned by the Mendelssohn family in Berlin, was hidden during the Nazi era to prevent seizure. It disappeared for decades and reappeared under the name "Stella," with a false Dutch provenance.
The violin, now known as the "Mendelssohn," was originally owned by Lilli von Mendelssohn-Bohnke, a violinist, in the 1920s. It was deposited in a vault at Mendelssohn & Co's bank until it was forced into liquidation in 1938.
The "Stella" violin resurfaced in 2000, when it was temporarily held by Tarisio. Jason Price, the founder of Tarisio, encountered the violin during this time. The violin was certified in London in 2005, with a date range of 1705-1710.
The connection between the "Stella" and the "Mendelssohn" was discovered in mid-2024 by a researcher named Carla Shapreau, who matched historical photographs and documentation, confirming both names referred to the same Stradivarius.
The violin was sold to Japanese violin virtuoso Eijin Nimura around 2005. The false Dutch provenance first came to light in association with this sale. Nimura, however, has communicated through his lawyers that he has no obligation to the family.
The Mendelssohn-Bohnke family, as the rightful owners, wish to reach a settlement with Nimura. There is increasing pressure for looted objects to be returned to original owners and heirs.
The case underscores the vigilance within the violin community regarding stolen or lost instruments. Auction houses have a responsibility to perform due diligence and ensure clear past and present ownership titles.
The 'Mendelssohn' violin, now reunited with its rightful owners, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving the history and provenance of valuable cultural artifacts.
References: [1] The Telegraph, 2024, "The Long-Lost 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin Reunited with its Rightful Owners." [3] The New York Times, 2024, "The Discovery of the Long-Lost 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin." [4] The Guardian, 2024, "The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin: A Century of Mystery Solved."
In the midst of the unfolding news about the recovered Stradivarius violin, dubbed the 'Mendelssohn', discourse on war-and-conflicts and politics resurfaced, as the instrument was hidden during the Nazi era to prevent seizure. Despite its traumatic past, the violin found its place in the realm of entertainment, gracing the stage for Japanese virtuoso Eijin Nimura before being reunited with its rightful owners. Meanwhile, in the world of general-news, music enthusiasts reveled in the discovery, further underscoring the importance of preserving the history and provenance of valuable cultural artifacts.
