Lava Bowl's Ancient Source Revealed: Its Re-emergence Uncovered
In a poignant display of historical justice, the State Museum of Art and Cultural History in Oldenburg has returned a 16th-century lava pot to its rightful heir, Martin Goldschmidt, a descendant of a Jewish family from Oldenburg who was persecuted by Nazi officials.
The lava pot, part of the museum's collection since 1934, was originally sold by Bertha Goldschmidt, a member of the Goldschmidt family, during the Nazi era. The sale, it was later discovered, was associated with Nazi persecution, and the selling price was remarkably low, around 80 euros.
Dr. Marcus Kenzler, provenance researcher at the State Museum of Art and Cultural History, uncovered the troubled history of the lava pot during his investigations. Dr. Kenzler's research added a new chapter to the provenance of the artifact, revealing its connection to the Goldschmidt family's tragic past.
The Goldschmidt family had been subjected to persecution and harassment by Nazi officials since March 1932. They were forced to sell their house at an undervalued price and move four times between 1932 and 1939. Bertha Goldschmidt emigrated to England in 1939, while her parents were murdered in Auschwitz and Riga.
The story of the Goldschmidt family was depicted in the feature film Winter Journey (2019), with Martin Goldschmidt's father, Günther Goldschmidt, portrayed by Bruno Ganz. Martin Goldschmidt, a well-known radio presenter and music critic of the Washington Post in the USA, expressed his pleasure at the return of the lava pot from the property of his grandparents. He assured that the lava pot would have a place of honor in his household.
The return of the 16th-century lava pot stands as a significant act of historical justice, underscoring the ongoing need for museums like the State Museum of Art and Cultural History in Oldenburg to investigate and address the provenance of their collections to restore cultural heritage disrupted by the atrocities of the Nazi regime. Dr. Kenzler's research forms part of a broader movement to reconcile cultural heritage with history's darker chapters, ensuring that the stories of families like the Goldschmidts are not forgotten.
The Goldschmidt family, who had faced persecution during the Nazi era, held diverse interests in their original household, including a fascination with other lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and home-and-garden items, as evident from the contents of their house before its forced sale.
After the return of the 16th-century lava pot, a symbol of the Goldschmidt family's tragic history, Martin Goldschmidt, a noted radio presenter and music critic, plans to display it as an emblem of cultural heritage restored, reflecting his personal interest in historical artifacts, complementing his home's decor, and continuing the family's appreciation for art and beauty from the past.
