Discovery of Nazi-Looted Stradivari Violin Linked to Tokyo Exhibition

In a significant development in the field of cultural heritage, a 1709 Stradivari violin, known as the 'Mendelssohn,' which was looted in Nazi-era Berlin, may have been located in Japan. Carla Shapreau, the director of the Lost Music Project, which is dedicated to tracing musical instruments and cultural artifacts stolen during World War II, has identified potential links between this missing instrument and a violin exhibited in Tokyo in 2018.

The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivari, part of a prominent family legacy, was owned by Lilli von Mendelssohn-Bohnke, a member of a notable German-Jewish banking family. Following the rise of the Nazis, the family faced severe persecution, resulting in the violin being stored in a Deutsche Bank safe, which was later plundered during the Soviet occupation of Berlin in 1945. Since then, the Mendelssohn family has sought to recover the instrument, even placing advertisements in publications such as The Strad.

Shapreau's investigation took a pivotal turn in the summer of 2024 when she discovered a photograph of a violin, identified as the 1707 'Stella' Stradivari, from a 2018 exhibition in Tokyo. She noted striking similarities in the shape and wear patterns of the 'Stella' and the missing 'Mendelssohn.' This claim has garnered support from Jason Price, founder of the auction house Tarisio, who has had prior encounters with the 'Stella' violin.

The 'Stella' is currently owned by Japanese violinist Eijin Nimura, who purchased the instrument around 2005 and has publicly acknowledged its history. Nimura's acquisition, described as legitimate, raises complex questions about the ownership of looted cultural artifacts.

Price has stated that the 'Stella' resurfaced in Paris in 1995, having been certified by renowned expert Charles Beare. At that time, there was no knowledge of a connection to the stolen 'Mendelssohn' Stradivari. The violin was subsequently held by Tarisio but was not sold, leading to its eventual sale to Nimura with a provenance that indicated it had been owned by a noble family in Holland.

This case highlights the growing pressure on cultural institutions and private collectors to return looted artifacts to rightful owners. As international discourse surrounding the restitution of cultural property intensifies, current owners like Nimura may find themselves in challenging positions, caught between their legitimate acquisitions and the historical injustices faced by previous possessors.

The Mendelssohn family, now represented by legal counsel, wishes to reclaim the instrument, while Nimura has indicated through legal channels that he does not feel obligated to return it. This situation encapsulates the broader implications of ownership and restitution in the art and cultural heritage sectors, particularly as museums, dealers, and collectors navigate the evolving landscape of cultural property rights.

As investigations continue, the Stradivari saga serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impacts of wartime looting and the complexities involved in the reclamation of cultural heritage.