Jewellery with Nazi links fetches record $196 million at auction
An auction of jewellery with Nazi links has fetched an astonishing $196 million at auction. This is the largest amount ever fetched by items of this kind. The collection included rare pieces from the Third Reich’s high-ranking officials and was sold in Geneva by Sotheby’s auction house.
The collection of 101 pieces was owned by an unidentified European family for over half a century and was described by Sotheby’s as “a unique insight into the history of the Third Reich.” The collection included a gold pocket watch that belonged to Adolf Hitler and an eagle made for Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering.
The most expensive item in the collection was a necklace with a massive pear-shaped diamond. The jewel’s estimated price was at least $3.5 million, but it was sold for a breathtaking $11.6 million. There were also several pieces of jewellery owned by the wife of Hitler’s finance minister that set new records.
Some of the pieces were inscribed with Nazi symbols, including swastikas and eagles, while others were adorned with the initials AH – Adolf Hitler. Experts say that the demand for items with Nazi links has grown recently, with buyers often coming from places such as China and Russia.
The auction house said that while some people “may find it difficult to reconcile themselves with this aspect of history,” the collection offers a fascinating opportunity for collectors to gain unique insights into one of the most significant periods in world history.
The controversy surrounding these types of auctions is not new. Many people believe that selling objects that were linked to Nazi war criminals is unethical. Others argue that the buyers are simply collectors of history and that owning these objects is a way of preserving the past.
The sale of Nazi-related items is banned in a number of countries, including Germany and Austria. However, it is still legal to sell such items in other parts of the world.
The auction of these pieces has stirred up a great deal of interest, with many people taking to social media to express their opinions. Some call for a complete ban on the sale of such items, while others argue that the buyers should be allowed to purchase them as long as they are historical collectors.
In conclusion, the auction of the jewellery with Nazi links has fetched a record $196 million, the highest-ever amount for items of this kind. The collection provides a unique insight into the history of the Third Reich, but it is controversial due to its link to Nazi war criminals. The sale of these items has sparked a debate about the ethics of selling controversial historical artefacts. Despite the controversy, the auction highlights the continued demand for items with links to significant periods in world history.