SOVIET CONFISCATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 12

SOVIET CONFISCATIONS.

ART SALE IN BERLIN. POOR PRICES AT AUCTION. Australian Tress Association—United Service BEHLIN. Nov. G. The salo took place in Berlin to-day in the presence of 1500 people, including some of Europe's most lovely women, of the Russian art treasures. They went Jit bargain prices at Lepke's sale rooms, the purchasers evidently fearing that they would have to account in tho Courts of their own countries for the possession of the confiscated articles.

The Germans bought nearly all the furniture, because that can be retained as a German possession unhindered. Ihe French, British and Americans purchased ilittie. Tho receipts were £7OOO below the estimate after two hours of selling, tho rarest articles bringing half their .value.

The Soviet attaches watched the sale from a gallery, depressed at their failure to realise their hopes of a profit. An English dealer paid £SOOO for a settee and 10 armchairs that were made for Eugene de Beailharnais. A Berlin collector gave £3OOO for a writing desk by David Bontgen, and a Paris dealer gave £3OOO for a cupboard by Joseph Baumhauer.

The Supreme Court of Prussia has upset the decision of the Berlin Courts in the test ease brought by Prince Stromanitz for an injunction against the sale of certain of the articles which the Prince claims the Soviet illegally confiscated. The Court ordered the withdrawal of the goods a further decision.