Return of Russian Treasures

[Nick_Nicholson]

Hi there,

I thought I would start a forum to discuss the repatriation of Russian treasures sold by the bolsheviks or stolen during the war.

Here is an interesting ITAR-TASS article which states that Harvard University is returning the famous Danilovsky Monastery bells which they acquired in 1920.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1076076&PageNum=0

What do you think?

Nick

[Joanna]

Hi Nick,

This is interesting as today I saw at the newstand the latest Royalty magazine here in Canada (Danish wedding on cover) with an article on Sotheby's sale of Imperial Russian treasures. One that intrigued me was the photograph albums of Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich c1907-1912 with many photos of his estate at Brassovo. Another that caught my eye was a famous painting of Alexander I but I do not remember who the artist is. Do you know of this sale that would have taken place earlier this year and the provenance of these treasures? Of course they did not identify the buyers but I am wondering if they will return them to Russia. Where the painting of Alexander I was originally I do not know but I am of the opinion it would have been in the Winter Palace. It is sad to think that the albums will not be in the public domain available to researchers.

Joanna