ZURICH.- The June auctions at Koller from 18 to 23 June are dedicated to Swiss Art as well as Modern and contemporary Art. On 22 June, the auction house will present works with estimates at over a million Swiss Francs by Albert Anker, Salvador Dalì, Paul Signac and Pierre-August Renoir. Further top works by Félix Vallotton, the Giacomettis, Fernando Botero and Marc Chagall are also included in the range of paintings on offer. Alongside an exquisite selection of items of furniture from European master workshops, signed jewellery and wristwatches, modern prints by Picasso and Klee and selected items of tribal Art, on 23 June Koller is also pleased to present the collection of the renowned Basel gallery «Antiquités ségal».

"Taken as a whole, our June auctions are notable for the large number of high quality objects in all the specialist areas. We are especially pleased that - after the sales of the collections Iseli-Moser and Richard Redding - another important art dealer consigned his inventory to Koller Auctions. We are happy to present the collection of Dr Ségal and his gallery «Antiquités Ségal» in a special sale“, says Cyril Koller.

Swiss Art
22 June 2012
The most important Swiss artists of the 19th century and the classic modern period are represented
The range of works at the Koller auction of Swiss Art comprises important paintings, watercolours and drawings of the great artists who brought Switzerland to the forefront in the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. Two important landscapes by Félix Vallotton from a Swiss private collection are offered. «Le phare, soir» from 1915 is offered with an estimate of CHF 400 000 to 600 000 (lot 3045), and «La Seine à Mantes» from 1917 with an estimate of CHF 250 000 to 350 000 (lot 3050). After the successes of the past year, three important works by Albert Anker were immediately consigned to Koller for the 22 June sale. The estimates for «Strickendes Mädchen» (girl knitting, lot 3010), «Das Lied der Heimat» (the song of the homeland, lot 3015) and «Die Taufe» (the baptism, lot 3021) are each set at between CHF 2 million and 3.5 million.

Two prominent paintings by Robert Zünd (lots 3018/3005) are also offered at auction, as well as works by his teacher Alexandre Calame. From Ferdinand Hodler comes, amongst other works, a preparatory drawing for the famous composition «der Holzfäller» (the wood cutter, lot 3066). This motif was created originally for the 50 Franc note and was later also transposed into a large format composition by the artist. The Giacometti family is represented in its entirety. From Diego Giacometti comes to auction, amongst other works, the important console «La Promenade des amis» with an estimate of CHF 300 000 to 400 000 (lot 3075). His brother Alberto Giacometti created the beautiful early watercolour, still showing the influence of his father, depicting a landscape in Engadin. From Augusto Giacometti the gorgeous painting «Orchideen auf blauem Grund» is offered with an estimate of CHF 160 000 to 240 000 (lot 3049). And Giovanni Giacometti, cousin of Augusto, contributes with two large-format landscapes in oils, both with an estimate of CHF 600 000 to 800 000. One of them shows an autumn coloured forest (lot 3051).

Modern and contemporary Art
22 June 2012
Top works by Salvador Dalì and Fernando Botero
The most expensive lot of the auction of Modern Art is an early work by the then 21 year-old Salvador Dalì. The work on panel «Venus y cupidillos» from 1925, listed in the catalogue raisonné by Robert Descharnes is estimated at a value of between CHF 1.5 million and 2.2 million (lot 3235). A further watercolour by the artist produced in 1945 is offered by the Swiss auction house at CHF 150 000 to 180 000 (Lot 3240). Koller has estimated a value of CHF 1.2 to 1.8 million for the painting by Paul Signac from 1922, «Bateaux au mouillage à Locmalo» (lot 3206) and a value of CHF 1.2 to 1.6 million has been set for the picture «Nue dans la verdure» from 1887 by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (lot 3213). Amongst the highlights on 22 June, and bearing an estate stamp, is the picture «Soleil au dessus de Vence» at CHF 500 000 to 700 000, in which in 1964 Marc Chagall ably captured the full power of the sun of the south of France in warm oil colours. (lot 3250).

In the contemporary art section on 22 June the most salient works from the selection are Fernando Botero’s 1964 picture «Ms. Rubens #3.» with an estimate of between CHF 600 000 and 800 000 (lot 3329) and Lucio Fontana’s «Concetto Speziale» of two years earlier in light luminescent green, with an estimate of between CHF 550 000 and 750 000 (lot 3317). Some choice sculptural works - an important bronze by Giacomo Manzù for CHF 120 000 to 150 000 (lot 3324) and a further work by Armand with an estimate of between CHF 30 000 and 50 000 (lot 3335) serve to enrich the large range of paintings on offer.

Modern Prints and drawings
22 June 2012
Rare works by Picasso, Klee, Lichtenstein and Haring
On 22 June an aquatint etching by Pablo Picasso from 1934, «Minotaure aveugle guidé par une fillette dans la nuit» (from «la suite Vollard»), will be offered at auction for CHF 60 000 to 80 000 (lot 3459). From Paul Klee comes the lithograph «Seiltänzer» (acrobat) No. 138/220 with an estimate of between CHF 50 000 and 60 000(lot 3450). «Les Nymphées» from 1993, a colour lino cut with an estimate of between CHF 18 000 and 25 000 by Roy Lichtenstein will be offered at auction (lot 3529). There is also an important Keith Haring colour silk screen with expertise from the Estate of Keith Haring dated 2 October 2008 which will be offered at between CHF 12 000 and 16 000 (lot 3528).

The collection of Antiquités ségal
23 June 2012
Four generations of Swiss art dealing
The last day of the auction week is dedicated to the collection of Dr. Georges and Margaret Ségal comprising around 600 objects. The gallery «Antiquités Ségal» was founded in 1870 by Joseph and Rebekka Ségal-Spalenberg and is today managed by the fourth generation. The gallery at Aeschengraben 14, in Basel, is one of the oldest art businesses in Switzerland. The gallery owners have now decided to downsize and sell their inventory, not piece by piece, but in a single grand gesture. The «sellers’» choice fell to Koller auctions, whom Mr and Mrs Ségal have known in friendship and in business for over 50 years. Koller auctions is greatly honoured and grateful to be able to bring this renowned collection to auction on 23 June.

Amongst the highlights of the collection are a pair of painted Louis XV fauteuils «à la reine» with the signature of the Paris master P.F. J. Corbusier circa 1770 with an estimate of between CHF 15 000 and 21 000 (lot 357). From the second half of the 17th century comes a painting of the Antwerp school with a depiction of the Madonna and Child in a floral wreath, offered at CHF 20 000 to 30 000 (lot 295). Amongst the paintings furthermore is a kitchen still life circa 1763 by Jacques Charles Oudry offered at CHF 12 000 to 18 000 (lot 139). Many select small objects such as candle holders, snuff bottles and faience will also come to auction from the Ségal collection.

Furniture and decorations
21 June 2012
Masterpieces for the European court
For the forthcoming furniture auction on 21 June, Koller can offer yet again a large number of select 18th century masterpieces from the workshops of Europe. Amongst the highlights we may mention a highly important suite of four large Louis XV Fauteuils «à la reine» circa 1740/50 with the signature of the master cabinet maker Jean Boucault. The highly important suite is estimated at CHF 250 000 to 450 000 (lot 1080). A Louis XV chest of drawers «à vantaux», made ca. 1750 by the workshop of Adrien Delorme, whose signature feature was the marquetry «aux rinceaux» and who was selected to the «juré» of his guild in 1768, will be offered with an estimate of between CHF 100 000 and 150 000 (lot 1094).

From the workshop of the Stuttgart cabinet makers Johannes Klinckerfuss and Casimir Münch comes the highly important grand Empire console «aux colonnes», made circa 1820, of a remarkable quality, consigned from a European collection and now offered with an estimate of between CHF 100 000 and 150 000 (lot 1183). Furthermore, a princely Louis XV chest with the signature of the Master cabinet maker Simon Oeben and the stamp of Chateau de Chanteloup is offered by Koller with an estimate of between CHF 45 000 and 75 000 (lot 1104). From a further Paris master workshop we have a Louis XVI roll-top desk with cartonnier and integrated fauteuil. The roll-top desk, made circa 1780/90 will be offered with an estimate of CHF 100 000 to 150 000 (lot 1123).

Jewellery and Wristwatches
19 June 2012
Diamonds and signed jewellery for collectors and enthusiasts
The auction of jewellery and wristwatches on 19 June with many diamonds and signed pieces will arouse the interest of both collectors and enthusiasts equally. Amongst the highlights are two diamond rings with estimates of CHF 140 000 to 200 000 (lot 2045) and CHF 60 000 to 90 000 (lot 2041) respectively, as well as a diamond bracelet by Coven Lacloche with an estimate of between CHF 48 000 and 68 000 (lot 2016). A coral, diamond and gold necklace and matching bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels circa 1960 with an estimate of between CHF 12 000 and 18 000 (lot 2208) as well as a Burmese sapphire ring valued at CHF 33 000 to 53 000 (lot 2139) are further high points of the auction.

Amongst the watches, a gentleman’s wristwatch by Roger Dubuis – with flying tourbillon – is offered at CHF 70 000 to 100 000 (lot 2389). From Patek Philippe comes an automatic with eternal calendar and moon phase circa 1997 at CHF 20 000 to 30 000 (lot 2370). A lady’s diamond wristwatch by Harry Winston will also be brought to auction at CHF 10 000 to 15 000 (lot 2315).

Tribal Art
18 June 2012
A 54 cm-high Songye Mask of the Congo from a Swiss private collection will be offered at the auction of African Art on 18 June. This is a male mask of the bwadi bakifwebe secret society. Such masks represented a mythological spiritual being, were complemented with a braided costume and a long raffia beard and were used in ceremonial dances in order ensure the social order of the village. The mask will be offered at auction with an estimate of between CHF 10 000 and 20 000 (lot 1790).

The memorial figure, made by the Oron, a small community living at the Cross River, has a very special charism and an estimate of between CHF 30 000 and 40 000 (lot 1761). Sculptures of this kind were made on the occasion of the dead of a dignitary and celebrated twice a year in a ceremony, in honour of the ancestors.