Does anyone know if there is some sort of "watch dog' representing the Palace Museums in Russia ? Some person who scrutinises the sale catalogues of the auction houses in Europe and America for things which were possibly looted by the Germans and Soviets ?
I often see amazing Russian things in catalogues. ( I am not mentioning names ). Some of these articles are of palace quality, and I wonder sometimes if they were stolen during the war.
Is someone in Russia keeping an eye open for its lost treasures ?. The wonderful things Mr Stalin "sold" to fund his reign of terror on the Russian people ?
Of course such items would have to be bought back, either by some oligarch. or the Russian Palace it was looted from.
I dont think they would just be handed back. The plundered art of World War ll, when not handed back, as was the case between Germany and Russia, has been a major bone of contention ever since.
So anything short of a successful bid at an auction would be the only way to get them back. ( The Faberge Eggs are a perfect example)
of course Russia and Germany are equally guilty of plundering, despite the fact that both countries are pleading victims. Two wrongs do not make a right.
I wonder how many people have tables and chairs and other objects from the Alexander Palace in their living rooms ? ( Both in Russian and Germany ).
They will never find their rightful place in the reception Room of Alexandra, or in the Study of Alexander lll in the Anitchov. Or Gatchina, which was left with so little after the war.
