A fine piece of eighteenth century porcelain – a distinctive Sèvres seau crennelé (monteith) – will be returned by the Fitzwilliam Museum to private ownership after an announcement by the Spoliation Advisory Panel.

The monteith, a piece of porcelain designed as a glass cooler, was part of a service manufactured in the Sèvres factory in 1768.

It was acquired by the Fitzwilliam in 1960 as part of a large bequest from the private collection of a former Director of the Museum, Dr Louis CG Clarke.

However, the piece has been the subject of a spoliation claim and in findings published yesterday, the Spoliation Advisory panel concluded that while the Museum’s legal title to the monteith is regarded as ‘impregnable’, ‘it is manifest that the claimant has a strong moral claim’.

The Spoliation Advisory Panel concluded that there was firm evidence showing that the piece had been acquired by the Gestapo in Vienna in 1938.

Throughout the process, the Museum has played an active part in researching the claim and has enjoyed an amicable relationship with the claimant.

A museum spokesperson said: “While acknowledging the considerable importance of this extremely fine piece of eighteenth century porcelain to the Museum’s collections, the Fitzwilliam accepts that restitution is entirely appropriate and will be returning the monteith to the claimant.”

The Syndicate of The Fitzwilliam Museum approves the restitution of the monteith, acknowledges the valuable role of the Spoliation Advisory Panel in resolving such matters and, in accordance with the principles of the international museum community, is pleased that this fine example of Sèvres ware will be returned to its rightful owner.

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