ZURICH.- The spring auctions at Koller were defined by three important highlights: as top lot the important Still Life of Flowers by Roelant Savery reached an auction price of CHF 5.42 million. Over 90% of the 150 objects from the collection of the Counts zu Münster/Barons of Grothaus found buyers with a turnover of CHF 1.2 million, and 90% of the group of around 900 lots from Luigi Nessi of Ticino’s fantastic collection of tools and scientific instruments was sold by the Swiss auction house at a marathon auction with a total of CHF 1.5 million.

Old Master and 19th Century Paintings
Museum quality still life of flowers goes to Russia for CHF 5.4 million
A selective market, especially interested in exceptional works, had made its choice at the auction of Old Masters. The high quality painting on copper, signed and dated 1612, with a museum quality depiction of a still life of flowers by the Dutch old master Roelant Savery was sold for double the lower estimate at CHF 5.4 million. The much exhibited and published work will go to a Russian private collection (Lot 3038). Beyond this, it was especially the early works which were successful. A religious motif of Saint Luke from the workshop of Rogier van der Weyden went for CHF 176'000, slightly over the upper estimate, to a Swiss private collection (Lot 3009). The depiction of the Madonna and Child, with Saint Bartholomew and John the Baptist by Andrea die Bonaiuti from the 14th century, also found a new owner in a Swiss collector, at CHF 162’000 (Lot 3004). Lot 3008, a portrait of a nobleman from the South German area, circa 1550, exceeded its estimate by more than double and was sold for CHF 87’000 to a bidder in Switzerland.

Silver, Objets de Vertu, Porcelain and Faience
High demand at the auction of the zu Münster collection
The auction week began well with the sale of the estate of the Counts zu Münster, Barons of Grothaus. 91% of around 150 lots found buyers, and the turnover, from a total estimate of between CHF 300’000 and 450'000, came to a total of CHF 1.2 million. The top lot of the collection was a painting from the school of Marco Ricci. The Mediterranean landscape with ruins brought in CHF 312’000 (Lot 1621). The sceptre, which was bestowed upon Ernst Friedrich Herbert Count zu Münster as symbol of his status as Marshall, was, at CHF 156000, the second strongest work at auction (Lot 1629). Also very successful was a Bouillotte lamp from the collection of Napoleon, at CHF 27’600, which had been a gift from Tsar Alexander I to the Münster family during the wars of the coalition (Lot 1626). Both portraits of Count and Countess zu Münster went for a price of CHF 112’800 to the same owner (Lots 1628/1630). The silver and porcelain from the collection also excelled. Thus, a massive jug with handle estimated at between CHF 7000 and 9000 brought a price of CHF 43’200 (Lot 1659) and 23 Viennese sweet dishes rose to over the upper estimate at CHF 36’000 (Lot 1639).

The Nessi Collection
A successful auction marathon on an international scale
The collection of Luigi Nessi of Ticino was the unexpected star of the auction week. Already in the run up a great deal of interest in the group of around 900 objects was becoming apparent. Then, an international crowd of buyers from museums, the trade and private enthusiasts filled the auction room and bid for nearly 12 hours for scientific instruments, tools and articles of daily use, from the Renaissance to the modern age. When the auction came to an end at 21.30, 90% of the objects had been sold and, with an upper estimate of CHF 900'000, made a turnover of CHF 1.55 million.

19th Century Paintings.
Spitzweg prices on the increase
Amongst the 19th century paintings, we can be assured that the prices for Carl Spitzweg will again be on the increase. His «Lektüre im Garten» (reading in the garden) estimated at CHF 120'000, was sold for CHF 240’000 (Lot 3209) and «Begegnung im Walde» (encounter in the forest) went for CHF 108000 which was also over the upper estimate (Lot 3226). Amongst the Russian art, the self portrait of Zinaida Evgenevna Serebrjakove from 1921 pushed ahead with a final selling price of CHF 66’000 (Lot 3247). Ivan Chloutse’s “Winter landscape after snowfall” brought CHF 60’000 (Lot 3251).

Fine furniture and decorative objects
Enthusiasts from around the world bid for their personal favourites
The market for fine furniture has in recent years developed increasingly into a market for enthusiasts, which follows its own rules. Clients will buy what pleases. And this is the case around the world. Certainly, classic works will always please. Thus the grand chest of drawers «Aux Tetes des Beliers» by the important Paris cabinet maker A.J. Oppenordt made the highest price of the auction at CHF 288’000 (Lot 1060). A private collection in the USA will see the grand chandelier with rock crystal from Genoa circa 1760 which sold for CHF 240’000 (Lot 1043). A pair of large Louis XV Meissen porcelain carafes with bronze mounts from Paris were worth CHF 102'000 to a Swiss collector (Lot 1089). For the same price a Louis XVI desk with «Verre Eglomise» (Lot 1180) goes to Qatar. A Ukrainian private collection will now house a skeleton clock with moon phase and organ movement. This piece made a price of CHF 99’600 (Lot 1174). To Paris goes Lot 1195, a Louis XVI lacquer chest of drawers from a Piedmont master workshop circa 1785 for CHF 69’699. The tapestry with the motif of Europa awakening, from the suite “Les Amours des Dieux” of the Beauvais manufactory was sold to Sweden for CHF 42’000 (Lot 1096).

Jewellery and Watches
High bids for Van Cleef&Arples
The ruby and diamond bracelet by Van Cleef&Arples, circa 1930 was offered at auction with an estimate of CHF 15’ 000 to 20’000 and climbed after a fierce bidding war to a price of CHF 144 000 (Lot 2165). A further lot by Van Cleef&Arples from the 1960s, went for ten times its estimate and reached a price of CHF 90’000 (Lot 2166). For a price of CHF 88’800 the diamond clip brooch from 1944 by the same house went to a new owner (Lot 2193). The piece had an upper estimate of CHF 14’000. Classic unsigned diamond jewellery such as the solitaire circa 1950 (Lot 160) or the diamond bracelet from France circa 1930 (Lot 2161) only just exceeded their upper estimates however, with CHF 38 400 and CHF 22’800 respectively. Amongst the watches the diamond lady’s wristwatch, of the model “Tank Americaine” by Cartier fulfilled its promise as top lot and climbed from CHF 10’000 to CHF 36’ 000 (Lot 2315).