Gold medallions returned to heirs

Gold-glass medallions stolen by the Nazis have been returned to the rightful owners.

The three gold-glass medallions date back to the fourth century AD and belong to the heirs of the Dzialynska Collection in Poland.

The Commission for Looted Art in Europe announced the medallions have been returned from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

A couple of the medallions bear images of the Lions of Judah, the Temple Menorah and the Holy Ark. Such is their historical significance, the Dzialynska family has allowed the two medallions to remain with the museum.

Countess Isabella Dzialynska nee Czartoryska acquired the medallions in the 19th century to join her collection of paintings and other antiques. The collection was moved by the countess to Warsaw in 1939 but was discovered by Nazis in 1941.

"Although our purpose is to [recreate] . . . the Dzialynska Collection in Poland, we fully recognize the importance of the two glasses to the Jewish people and respect the wishes of the Israel Museum to keep them in Jerusalem," said Count Adam Zamoyski.

In February this year treasure hunters claimed they had found two tonnes of gold stolen by Nazis in a man made cavern in Germany.