Page 16 - JOA August 2020

Art and antiques consistently in high demand in the auctions

at Hermann Historica GmbH

GRASBRUNN, GERMANY is unlikely to change anytime soon.
– The very first day of the Moving on to a different culture during the same era, lot number
82nd Auction at Hermann 556 announced an almost identical pair of Chinese bat vases. Dating
Historica GmbH in from the Kuang Hsu period (1875-1908) and abundantly painted with
Grasbrunn, near Munich, pre- auspicious bats in different colours, the large, bellied vases, tapering up
sented a lineup of artefacts towards the neck, did not escape buyers’ notice. Bidding soon out-
wrought with masterly artistic stripped the guide price of €2,000 and the sale was completed for the
workmanship, dating from impressive sum of €30,000. European porcelain from the Meissen
antiquity right through to the Manufactory is widely acclaimed around the world. Therefore, collec-
modern era. All prices shown tors welcomed the opportunity to purchase the group of 23 Japanese
are in euros and include the figurines from the “Foreign nations” series in one lot. Some seated,
buyer’s premium of 25%. some standing, all naturalistically portrayed, painted in colour and with
The sale of the 717 lots on occasional gilded details, the group presents a vivid study of Japanese
May 25 was like taking a jour- culture designed by Friedrich Elias Meyer, court sculptor in Weimar
ney through history and continents. Titled “Art and Handcrafts, and modeller in
Antiquities,” the catalogue included virtually every epoch and every Meissen as of 1748.
region of the world, all testaments to outstanding craftsmanship in a Bids from €25,000
wide variety of materials. Fantastic results were achieved, thanks to the had been invited for
keen participation of the bidders on the telephone and the hitherto the formidable
unknown, yet extremely active community of online bidders on all six ensemble, which
auction platforms, culminating in a sensational, thirty-fold increase of closed at a very
the opening price. Last year’s relocation to the new, spacious premises respectable
in Grasbrunn proved to be the proverbial stroke of good luck in the €32,500. A breath-
otherwise unfortunate COVID-19 situation; the generous space made taking, French
the pre-sale viewing possible in person and permitted direct attendance Lalique vase in
in the saleroom. Silver, glass and Asian art objects were particularly smoked glass, clearly
sought after, along with paintings and sculptures. classified as Art
The announcement of an Old Master painting unleashed a veritable Déco, provided the
bidding frenzy on all channels. Measuring a mere 25 centimetres in final flourish in the wide range of eras and materials. Made in 1928,
diameter, the enchanting, circular, 17th century work of finest Flemish signed and in absolutely immaculate condition, having attracted a good
rustic genre painting inspired such enthusiasm that its new owner could deal of interest among dedicated Lalique collectors during the run-up
only claim his prize after a seemingly never-ending barrage of bids. to the auction, the “Phentièvre’model raced past its estimate of €6,000
Depicting a young farmer's wife in before the hammer fell at €8,500.
traditional Flemish dress, holding a At Hermann Historica, paintings, sculptures and antiques are regularly
cauldron full of embers and set part of our auctions. Our bidders are particularly interested in objects with
against a genre village scene of a historical references. Sculptures and paintings with military subjects are just
farmhouse, the painting ultimately as popular as portraits and busts of well-known historical figures and
changed hands for €57,500, eclips- crowned heads of Europe. Personal possessions of well-known personalities
ing its estimate of €1,500. A grace- also achieve top prices with us. Whether Napoleon's two-pointed hat, the
ful, voluptuous, 17th century Venus riding crop of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, or the stage wardrobe Josefine
of “pudica” type, crowned with a Bakers – all such objects are in good hands with our experts and customers.
striking diadem and holding myrtle We have also had great success in the area of antiques and handicrafts in
blossoms in her hand, also succeeded recent years. Kunstkammer objects from the 16th-18th centuries. Made of
in captivating the audience and rare materials such as coral, amber, ivory or rock crystal are just as popular
achieved a gratifying result. Standing with us as high-quality silversmithing from the Renaissance and Baroque
46 centimetres tall and fashioned in periods. In addition, we are always looking for beautiful objects that are
the finest Italian Renaissance style, well suited for decorating rooms with historical weapon collections. These
the bronze sculpture was valued at include old chests and cassettes, historical household appliances made of cop-
12,000 euros but went on to fetch €15,000. per, tin, bronze or
During the 19th century, the Viennese gold and silver smith wrought iron, as well
Hermann Ratzendorfer gained the highest renown for his peerless neo- as early ceramics or
Renaissance works by combining the most superb materials with exqui- woodwork.
site craftsmanship. Winning medals at the World Expositions in If you have indi-
Vienna and Paris, his unparalleled handcrafted objects. are sure to vidual objects or an
delight, especially by virtue of their superlative enamelling. One of his entire collection that
showpieces is a magnificent, fan-shaped ornamental plate, resplendent you want to use as
in partially gilt silver, featuring grotesque figures in coloured enamel, best as possible, con-
their flat perforations filled with lavishly engraved rock crystal. The tact us! Our experts
exceptionally impressive artwork now graces a new collection for evaluate your objects,
€31,250, its starting price of €25,000 notwithstanding. which you bring to us
Next up, no less fabulous and dating from the same period, was an for assessment, free of
opulent chess set. The extraordinarily splendid execution of the unusu- charge. If, on the
ally large figures in partially gilt silver, standing up to 22 centimetres other hand, there are larger, coherent collections of interesting objects, we
tall, their naturalistic features carved in ivory, suggests that this excep- will come to your house too. Contact us – give us a call or send us an email,
tionally distinguished version of the “game of kings” was originally ideally with meaningful color images of some representative objects. Write
owned by a prominent household. The pleasing hammer price of to kunsthandwerk (at) hermann-historica.com – we look forward to your
€52,500, far surpassing the reserve of €40,000, would indicate that this objects! Hermann-Historica.de

14 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles