These stained glass windows from Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral dating from the 13th century disappeared more than 150 years ago.
An investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office after the auction of 13th century stained glass windows from Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, more than 150 years after their disappearance, franceinfo has learned. Investigators from the Banditry Repression Brigade, specialized in the theft of art objects, are in charge of the investigations.
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A complaint filed for theft and concealment of theft
The stained glass windows sold at auction were in the transept of Notre-Dame de Paris until the 19th century. These are two small circles with a blue background and framed in red: one with an angel holding a censer and the other, a candlestick. The LumiÈre sur le patrimoine association, created in early July 2023, estimates that they were stolen in 1862, before reappearing in 2015 and being auctioned off for more than $230,000 in total. The collective, created at the beginning of July 2023, filed a complaint for “theft” and “concealment of theft”.
For its part, the Sotheby’s auction house assured franceinfo that there was no legal obstacle to this sale, according to experts.
“The stained glass windows were dismantled by Viollet-le-Duc in 1862, as part of the famous restoration of Notre-Dame, then sold by the master glassmaker Edouard Didron between 1877 and 1905”
Sotheby’s auction houseat franceinfo
“Similar pieces, with the same provenance, are today part of the collection of the Museum of Art and History of Geneva. continues Sotheby’s. A version that the police officers from the Banditry Suppression Brigade will now have to verify, in particular using the archives.
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A sale “in compliance with the laws”?
Before putting these stained glass windows up for sale in 2015, Sotheby’s claims to have carried out “necessary research, diligence and controls” in order to “s’ensure that no legal obstacle stands in the way of the sale. The auction house also says it has obtained all necessary authorizations from the competent authorities, including export certificates. “Experts and museum curators have finally been warned, she added.
“We operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all countries where we operate”
Sotheby’s auction houseat franceinfo
The auction house assured that it had not been contacted by the association prior to the complaint being filed. If the theft is proven, the Ministry of Culture could recover these stained glass windows since they belonged to theEstate in 1862.