The Quedlinburg Case

How Mathis & Donheiser Successfully Managed a High-Profile Art Litigation Case

Just after the end of World War II, the nearly priceless Quedlinburg collection was taken from a Nazi hiding place — a mineshaft outside of Quedlinburg, Germany — and was sent home to the United States. Years later, Mr. Jack Meador and Ms. Jane Meador Cook, the brother and sister of Joe T. Meador, came into possession of the collection innocently by way of inheritance.

The collection, known as the Quedlinburg Treasury, included medieval treasures like a jewel-encrusted 19th century manuscript written entirely in gold, gem-studded boxes, a crystal chandelier, a rock crystal flask in the form of two birds and a liturgical comb.

The German Government Demands Return of the Quedlinburg Treasury

Unfortunately for Mr. Meador and Ms. Meador Cook, the German government claimed that the collection of antiques was stolen art. The government demanded the return of the articles and threatened civil and criminal action.

By working diligently in Texas Federal District Courts and negotiating with the German government, Mathis & Donheiser achieved a favorable settlement for Mr. Meador and Ms. Cook. The settlement balanced issues of German and American civil and criminal law, as well as international doctrine, treaties and general practice.

The German government eventually paid the heirs of Joe T. Meador nearly $3 million for the return of the collection — a large sum that probably would never have been obtained without the aid of an experienced and knowledgeable legal team.

It is estimated that many more items originally in the Quedlinburg collection remain undiscovered in the United States. It is possible that the people in possession of the items do not know the true value of these antiques or of their history as war booty.

To learn more about the Quedlinburg case, please see the articles posted on this web site.