Koller Zurich Announces Their Autumn Auctions of 2,000 Lots

Written by Stephen Carleton Friday, 10 February 2012 21:10

Zurich.- Under the title "Assured and Timeless", the Koller auction house in Zurich has announced their Autumn auctions, which will be held between September 19th and 24th. Around 2000 lots will be offered for sale at over seven auctions at Koller Zurich. After the sensational results of the June sale of Swiss Art with around CHF 14 million and the final price of CHF 7.3 million for the portraits of two children by Albert Anker, the Swiss auction house enters the autumn season with an especially strong selection of works by the masters. One of the most important objects in September is an outstanding painting by the Antwerp master Frans Francken the younger. His remarkably detailed Old Testament scene of the “Feast of Belshazzar” from circa 1610, which 25 years later was also depicted by Rembrandt, will be offered with an estimate of CHF 700,000 / 900,000 on 23 September.

The auction of Furniture and Decorations also promises a strong range of works in all areas, including for example a “Bureau Mécanique” from the collection of Eugène de Beauharnais, first son of the famous Josephine. The classic Dutch still life is represented with Jacob Marrel’s “Bouquet of Flowers in a Clay Vase” (CHF 350,000 / 450,000) circa 1645 and the masterly floral still life with insects by Ambrosius Bosschaert the younger from 1631 (CHF 200,000 / 300,000). Lovers of the Dutch old masters will relish a work by the artist known as the Master of the Mansi Magdalene. His “Holy Family before a broad landscape” is estimated by Koller at a value of between CHF 220,000 and 280,000. From Italy comes the “Martyrdom of Saint Agatha” by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, with an estimate of CHF 50,000 / 70,000; the “Penitent  Magdalene” by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino, with an estimate of CHF 150,000 / 200,000 and a splendid depiction of St Mark’s Square in Venice with the Basilica by Francesco Guardi, which will be offered at between CHF 80,000 and CHF 120,000.


Two important works by Carl Spitzweg will be offered for sale at the Auction of 19th Century Paintings: the oil painting “In the garden – the philosopher” made between 1850 and 1855 (CHF 100,000 / 150,000) and the thoroughly charming and almost touching “Bergmännchen” from 1845/50 (CHF 60,000 / 80,000). Russian art is represented, amongst others, by the work of Konstantin Ivanovic Gorbatoff, whose winter landscape will be offered with an estimate of CHF 80,000 / 120,000. At the Auction of Old Master Prints and Drawings the work of the great masters from the early 14th to the 19th centuries are represented. From a book illustrator from the Lake Constance area comes a page fragment from a liturgical book with scenes from the life of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with an estimate of CHF 40,000 / 60,000. From Albrecht Dürer comes a 1520 copper engraving depicting the Virgin with infant in swaddling at the attractive price of CHF 9,000 - CHF 14,000. Anne Louis Girodet-Trison created the pen drawing “Jesus blessing the children” which will be auctioned at an estimate of CHF 6,000 / 9,000. Finally, lovers of the gouache may acquire a work by Johann Ludwig Bleuler’s circle, a depiction of the “Borromean Islands in Lago Maggiore” for CHF 3,000 - CHF 5,000.

Two highlights of the Books Auction are the complete cycles “Los Proverbios” (CHF 7,000 / 10,000) and “Los Caprichos” (CHF 15,000 / 20,000) by the Spaniard Francisco de Goya, who had created religious frescoes, altarpieces, tapestry designs and countless portraits of the nobility, before he turned away from courtly life and addressed the political and social circumstances of the time. “Los Caprichos” is a cycle of 80 socially critical aquatint etchings produced between 1793 and 1799. It was a key work which made Goya’s name and his art famous throughout Europe. The history of the Jewish war is the masterpiece of the Roman-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, written in the years 75-79. This, together with the “Antiquitates Judaicae” written somewhat later, was published in March 1481 by Reynaldus de Nimwegen as an incunable in one volume. At the Books Auction this rare piece will be offered with an estimate of CHF 26,000 / 32,000. From the collection of the infamous Cardinal Richelieu comes Pliny’s “Secundi historiae mundi libri XXXVII”. This work, bound in leather and with Richelieu’s supralibros, published in 1606, will be offered with an estimate of CHF 1,500 / 2,000.


Bringing together sought-after works and their collectors is one of the strengths of the Furniture and Decorations Auction at Koller. Amongst the top objects is an Important Renaissance Cabinet with pietra dura inlays, with an estimate of CHF 180,000 / 280,000. With an estimate of CHF 250,000 / 450,000 comes a “Bureau mécanique” attributed to the Empire period master cabinet maker A. Régnier. This extremely rare item comes from the collection of Eugène de Beauharnais, son from the first marriage of the famous Joséphine, wife of the Emperor Napoleon.  Traditionally the Auction of Jewellery and Wristwatches comprises a large selection of signed modern jewellery as well as numerous old and antique gems and generally a large number of works in diamonds. Especially noteworthy are the lots from the mid 20th century. These outstanding pieces include a Diamond Wristwatch from the house of Kutchinsky with an estimate of CHF 25 000 to CHF 35 000; a Diamond Necklace at CHF 17,000 to CHF 27,000; a Ruby and Diamond Clip by Van Cleef & Arples with an estimate of CHF 23,000 / 33,000; an Onyx and Diamond Ring circa 1925 at CHF 25,000 to CHF 35,000; as well as a Sapphire and Diamond Brooch by Tiffany & Co for CHF 18,000 to CHF 28,000. Amongst the wristwatches comes a Frank Muller Gentleman’s Wristwatch Chrono-Automatic for CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000, as well as a Diamond Wristwatch by Louis Moinet for CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000. Antique jewellery is represented with for example a Natural Pearl and Enamel Pendant or Brooch by René Boivin from circa 1890 for CHF 7,000 to CHF 10,000 and a Diamond-Aigrette/Brooch from 1880 for CHF 8,000 to CHF 14,000. A fine, 45-part Meissen Tea and Chocolate service from 1738/1740 with an estimate of CHF 60,000 / 80,000 and an exquisite Meissen Coffee Pot with merchant scenes attributed to Christian F. Herold at CHF 24,000 to CHF 28,000 are both amongst the highlights of the Porcelain Auction, together with the splendid “Augustus Rex” Vase with fire-breathing dragon and lavish flowers: this too is from the Meissen factory and will be offered at auction with an estimate of CHF 10,000 / 15,000. Highlights of the Silver Auction include two Covered Tureens with Bowls, fashioned circa 1808/1809 by the London master Paul Storr to be offered at an estimate of  CHF 8,000 / 12,000.

Koller is the leading Swiss auction house and among the foremost auctioneers worldwide, Koller has been holding successful auctions for 50 years. Koller organizes over 60 auctions annually in more than 15 categories, including old master & 19th century paintings, prints and drawings; Swiss art, modern & contemporary art; furniture and decorative arts; jewelry; Asian art; art nouveau & art deco; books & autographs; tribal art, and wine. A family-owned company, Koller’s name is synonymous with professional, personalized service and outstanding results. With seven representative offices worldwide from London to Shanghai, its membership in the worldwide auctioneers’ alliance IA, International Auctioneers, and its widespread presence in international publications and the Internet, Koller offers all of the advantages of an international auction house combined with Swiss efficiency and dependability. Visit the auction house's website at ... http://www.kollerauktionen.ch

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