In order to quantify the value of the confiscatedBy confiscating assets, government officials initially deprived owners of the authority to dispose of their bank accounts, household furnishings, securities, etc., which were placed under state administration. More items, the Vermögensverwertungsstelle commissioned bailiffs and other officially appointed appraisers to assess the objects. In addition to determining the value, these experts also identified whether the stolen items included potentially “high-value” art and cultural assets or art that did not conform to National Socialist ideology. These items were not allowed to be sold on the open market. The next step for such objects was to separate them from the rest of the property and have them further assessed by selected experts.

The bailiffs’ reports often contain only brief descriptions of the art and cultural assets, such as “paintings,” “pictures”, or “lotDirectory containing detailed information on objects or lots offered at an auction. More of books.” In rare cases, they deciphered the artists’ signatures visible on the paintings and gave titles to the works of art.

This differs from the reports prepared by the specialised experts. These documents usually described selected art and cultural assets in greater detail.

Take a look at the individual appraisers who assessed the properties on behalf of the authorities.