AuctionsMay 01, 2023
NY Times Examines Nazi Ties to Heidi Horten Fortune Ahead of Jewelry Auction AuctionsMay 08, 2023
WFDB Joins Those Objecting to Heidi Horten Auction at Christie’s
Jewish organizations are calling on Christie’s to halt the auction or donate a greater portion of the proceeds to Holocaust education.
This Bulgari diamond, sapphire, and emerald necklace is part of Christie’s auction of the jewels of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten. After a New York Times report detailed how her husband, Helmut Horten, profited when the Nazis forced Jewish business owners to sell at rock-bottom prices, organizations are calling for Christie’s to call off the sale or for a larger portion of the proceeds to be donated to Holocaust education.
New York—Christie’s auction of the jewels of late Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten first made headlines for its show-stopping pieces, but the dark backstory of how her husband built his fortune continues to overshadow the sale.
Late last month, The New York Times detailed how Helmut Horten profited when the Nazis forced Jewish people to sell their businesses at low prices.
This report and Christie’s plans to move forward with the jewelry auction have sparked outrage within the jewelry industry as well as among Jewish organizations.
In a letter to François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Europe, dated May 5 the World Federation of Diamond Bourses said it objects to the sale and felt it necessary to express its outrage.
“In a time of Holocaust denial and the resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world, we find it especially appalling that a world-renowned auction house would engage in such a sale,” wrote WFDB President Yoram Dvash.
In an earlier statement, Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerutti said: “It was never Christie’s intention to hide information about the well-documented history of Mr. Horten and we have added relevant information to our sale materials and website to ensure that the facts are clear to all.”
Following the backlash, the auction house said it will be donating a “significant” portion of the final sale proceeds to unspecified organizations that further Holocaust research and education.
WFDB is asking Christie’s to go a step further than that.
“The WFDB strongly requests that if Christie’s insists on holding the Horten auction, that you personally ensure that the major portion of the proceeds be donated by Christie’s to charities supporting the welfare of Holocaust survivors, as well as commemoration and education.”
The organization also requested that the amount of the contribution and its recipients be shared with the public.
In a statement shared with National Jeweler this morning, Anthea Peers, president of Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa, said Christie’s was aware of how Helmut built his wealth but added, “However—and without ignoring or excusing Mr. Horten’s actions in any way— the jewelry collection of his wife, Heidi Horten, was assembled decades later, between the beginning of the 1970s and 2022, the year of her death.”
As for the donation, Christie’s reiterated that a “significant portion” of its commission will be donated to Holocaust research and education.
“It will be up to these organizations, if they wish, to communicate about these donations,” said Peers.
Related stories will be right here …
Late last month, The New York Times detailed how Helmut Horten profited when the Nazis forced Jewish people to sell their businesses at low prices.
This report and Christie’s plans to move forward with the jewelry auction have sparked outrage within the jewelry industry as well as among Jewish organizations.
In a letter to François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Europe, dated May 5 the World Federation of Diamond Bourses said it objects to the sale and felt it necessary to express its outrage.
“In a time of Holocaust denial and the resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world, we find it especially appalling that a world-renowned auction house would engage in such a sale,” wrote WFDB President Yoram Dvash.
In an earlier statement, Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerutti said: “It was never Christie’s intention to hide information about the well-documented history of Mr. Horten and we have added relevant information to our sale materials and website to ensure that the facts are clear to all.”
Following the backlash, the auction house said it will be donating a “significant” portion of the final sale proceeds to unspecified organizations that further Holocaust research and education.
WFDB is asking Christie’s to go a step further than that.
“The WFDB strongly requests that if Christie’s insists on holding the Horten auction, that you personally ensure that the major portion of the proceeds be donated by Christie’s to charities supporting the welfare of Holocaust survivors, as well as commemoration and education.”
The organization also requested that the amount of the contribution and its recipients be shared with the public.
In a statement shared with National Jeweler this morning, Anthea Peers, president of Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa, said Christie’s was aware of how Helmut built his wealth but added, “However—and without ignoring or excusing Mr. Horten’s actions in any way— the jewelry collection of his wife, Heidi Horten, was assembled decades later, between the beginning of the 1970s and 2022, the year of her death.”
As for the donation, Christie’s reiterated that a “significant portion” of its commission will be donated to Holocaust research and education.
“It will be up to these organizations, if they wish, to communicate about these donations,” said Peers.
Other organizations have joined the call for Christie’s to increase the size of its donation or halt the jewelry auction entirely.
In a statement, the American Jewish Committee said the fact that the auction proceeds will go to charity, including some to Holocaust organizations, was not enough.
“One of the most challenging tasks in addressing the legacy of the Holocaust is providing justice for the massive looting of its victims. There are still many barriers to securing restitution,” said AJC.
“It is even more difficult when unscrupulous businessmen took advantage of aryanization laws and the desperate needs of Jews fleeing the Nazis to amass their fortunes.”
The AJC asked that the auction be put on hold while it was determined what portion of Helmut’s wealth came at the expense of Nazi victims. Funds should then be directed to support Holocaust survivors and the educational programs that enable them to tell their stores.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish global human rights organization based in Los Angeles with offices across the world, also called for the halt of the auction until more research can be done.
“Christie’s must suspend this sale until full research of links to Nazi era acquisitions are completed,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean and director of global social action. “Don’t reward those whose families may have gained riches from desperate Jews targeted and threatened by the Nazis.”
In her statement, Peers said: “As with all property entrusted to Christie’s, this collection has undergone a thorough verification process. The provenance of each of the 700 objects up for auction is well documented, with detailed indications of purchase, and none of these jewels come from a spoliation or a forced sale from a Jewish owner.”
Christie’s estimates “The World of Heidi Horten” sale will fetch $150 million, surpassing the auction record set by the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s private collection in 2011 (total: $137.2 million).
The sale of Horten’s jewels will benefit The Heidi Horten Foundation, which supports her art museum, The Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna, and other causes.
A viewing will take place in Geneva this week, with the first part of the auction scheduled for Wednesday, and the second for Friday.
There will also be two online sales. The first online sale is taking place now through May 15 with November dates to follow for the remaining jewels.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
