- Christie’s has canceled the second part of an auction of jewelry owned by Austrian heiress Heidi Horten.
- Critics argue that the Hortens accumulated their wealth from Jewish businessmen who were disenfranchised.
- Horten’s husband, Helmut, purchased businesses from Jewish traders who were forced to sell them during Nazi-era Germany.
Auction house Christie’s announced that it will donate a “significant” portion of the proceeds from the auction of an Austrian heiress’ jewelry and art collection from the Nazi era to an organization focused on Holocaust research and education. This decision came after facing criticism from Jewish organizations and collectors.
However, Jewish groups rejected the offer, as reported by The New York Times. In response to the intense scrutiny, Christie’s canceled the second part of the collection’s sale.
The initial sale of a portion of the valuable collection from the Heidi Horten Foundation, named after the late Austrian heiress married to German retailer Helmut Horten, achieved a record-breaking price of $202 million in May.
Helmut Horten obtained his wealth by purchasing businesses from Jews who were forced to sell them during Nazi-era Germany. The second part of the collection was scheduled for sale in November, according to the Times.
“Jewish clients and institutions, as well as anyone with integrity and compassion, should reconsider conducting business with Christie’s, which prioritized profit over principle by sponsoring the auction of the Heidi Horten jewelry collection,” said Holocaust survivor David Schaecter, president of Holocaust Survivors’ Foundation USA, in an interview with the Times in July.
Prior to the initial sale, Christie’s acknowledged the “painful history” of the collection but highlighted the Heidi Horten Foundation’s dedication to philanthropic causes, as reported by the Times. All proceeds from the auction were intended to benefit the foundation.
In a tribute preceding the May sale, Christie’s eloquently described Heidi Horten, stating that she was a “sensitive and passionate collector” who left a significant inheritance from her late husband, with its origin thoroughly documented. The auction house recognized Helmut Horten’s business practices during the Nazi era, when he acquired Jewish businesses sold under duress.
Christie’s and the Heidi Horten Foundation have not yet provided a response to inquiries from Insider, which were made outside of regular working hours.
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