Auction of Greek royal items

[Robert_Hall]

 This might help muddy the waters
     http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6289097.stm

[Eric_Lowe]

I looked at the catalogue ( just recieved a copy of it) and I believe most of the stuff were inherited goods. There are furniture bought by King George II, Danish silver by King Gerorge I when he came from Denmark, furniture and silverware from Kaiser Frederich III (father of Queen Sophie of Greece) which most likely were inherited by his daughter. The Faberge I think came from the private collection of Queen Olga. I don't see a lot of diplomatic gifts (which the Greek Government claimed belonged to the people). 

[Robert_Hall]

Compared to the Hannover catalogue, it is child's play. But yes, there is a lot of interesting  stuff to look at. And the provenance...what wonders!

[SSKENDER]

Last night I stayed up to watch the greek morning news via satellite.
The cultural minister clarified the issue as thus:

1) No objection to the former King selling the items he took from Tatoi in 1991; his removal of the items was legal as per the law in 1991 and he may do as he wishes;

2) He objects on behalf of the Greek state to items that are being included in the auction which may not have been procured from the former King.  He pointed to a statement on the King's website saying that some of the auctioned items are not part of the 1991 items taken from Tatoi.

3) Thus, he is requesting that Christie's provide authentication that none of the items being auctioned were illegally obtained; for example, there were two reported events of burglary into Tatoi prior to 1991 and in 2001.  He wants to make sure that none of the items stolen during these two attempts are being auctioned as part of the collection.

Regards

[Eurohistory]

Hogwash frankly...yet another nasty attempt by the Greek government to cause trouble for the King...they never, ever let up do they.

Arturo Beéche

[SSKENDER]

At the end of the day,,the European Court found that the items found within Tatoi were the Kings and the Kings alone.
And he legally removed them in 1991.
It's the Greeks fault if since 1991, and subsequent to the Court's ruling, they have left Tatoi so unprotected, that various vandals have gotten into Tatoi and possibly stolen some items that found their way outside the country....

Regards

[Eric_Lowe]

However it seems that the sale had the king's blessing (even though he did not claim responsibility of selling them, nor contesting the items as stolen goods), since those items belonged to the family. 

[Ilias_of_John]

absolutely terrific, but I wonder which rich Greek is selling and why?
This collection must have taken years to amass.

[Robert_Hall]

It is probably from many collections. Some even be surplus from museums.

[Ilias_of_John]

Below is an article and 13 little video clips regarding the sale.
I honestly do not think H.M had anything to do with the sale as these are definately heirlooms and I cannot even imagine him selling them.

http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//RTV/2007/01/26/RTV134407/?s=greek+royals

But then again, I have been wrong before!