(1) The Federal Minister for Finance is empowered to dispose of the art and cultural goods remaining in the possession of the state according to the directives of this federal regulation by offering the goods for sale at public auction. The disposal is not limited by any conditions.
(2) The proceeds plus costs incurred for services according to P.4 Sec. 2 following the deduction of all costs and expenses incurring to the state for the disposal are to be allocated to needy persons persecuted under the NS regime for racist, religious or political reasons. The Federal Government is to determine further regulations for the use of the proceeds.
Item Pieces
Paintings.........................................................624 Miniatures..........................................................3 Watercolor paintings, mixed media, tempera, gouache................82 Drawings (Pencil drawings), pastel paintings......................250 Graphic prints.....................................................52 Sculptures.........................................................42 Furniture..........................................................32 Tapestries..........................................................9 Porcelain.........................................................110 Ceramics...........................................................23 Glass objects......................................................79 Silver............................................................217 Bronze..............................................................4 Copper..............................................................2 Brass...............................................................6 Weapons............................................................63 Textiles............................................................7 Carpets............................................................22 Coins..............................................................33 Medals.............................................................43 Writings...........................................................28 Diverse literature.................................................69 Magazines..........................................................22 Catalogues..........................................................6 Miscellaneous......................................................86
In the 3rd Art and Cultural Purification Regulation from the summer of 1995, the Austrian Parliament passes the law that these existing pieces of art will be auctioned off for the benefit of the Isreali Culture Society.
12.5 % of the profit is designated to the war victims organizations of the Austrian Social and Christian Democratic Parties.
"For the most part, the pieces were placed in the hands of the Republic of Austria by the
American Allied Forces, after the American attempts to restitute them had failed. The title
'Mauerbach' comes from the name of the Carthusian monastery just outside of Vienna where
these pieces were stored by the Republic between 1956 and 1995. Faced with what were
presumably less than optimum storage conditions, a selection of the more valuable pieces
were released to various Federal museums in the 1970s. All of these were recalled in 1995
when custody of the 'Mauerbach' collection was officially transferred from the Republic of
Austria to the Jewish Community of Vienna.
The Jewish Community, in turn, has agreed to put the 'Mauerbach' estate up for sale. 88% of
the proceeds will go towards a foundation established by the Jewish Community to support
Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. 12% is earmarked for non-Jewish victims of Holocaust.
The auction itself is being organized by Christie's and will be held at the Museum of
Applied Arts on October 29/30 this year (1996). A catalogue to accompany the auction will be
available as of September, and will feature all of the 'Mauerbach' pieces, including images,
provenances, etc."
Sophie Lillie
Jewish Community of Vienna
To obtain a copy of the catalogue contact
Christie's Austria
Kohlmarkt 4/5
A-1010 Vienna
Tel:+43-1-5338812
Fax:+43-1-5337166