The Technical Museum Restitutes Musical Instruments

The Technical Museum Vienna has handed over 18 musical instruments originating from Theodor Sternberg’s Vienna music store to his heirs.

Stemberg had loaned the musical instruments to the museum in 1936. Following the Nazi’s assumption of power Sternberg emigrated to the USA. His music store was “aryanized” and taken over by a “provisional administrator”. The same instruments were purchased by the museum in 1938 within this context.

In 2007 the Art Restitution Commission recommended the restitution of the musical instruments to the legitimate heirs of Theodor Sternberg. With the help of the Jewish Community Vienna the Technical Museum was able to trace his son in the USA and successfully restitute the items.

 

Further information on provenance research at the Vienna Technical Museum: https://provenienzforschungtmw.wordpress.com/

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