GENEVA.- At the autumn auctions at Koller Geneva on 18 November over 70 % of the objects found new owners. The top lots were successfully auctioned. Good results were achieved especially for the 20th century painters from the West of Switzerland, large format sculptures and design objects made of gold and silver. As ever, classic Art Deco pieces by Gallé and Bugatti were sought after. The wine sale proved a good auction with only a few unsold items.

Art Nouveau and Art Deco
Targeted bidding for well-known names
In the Art Nouveau / Art Deco sector Koller Geneva counted on targeted bidding by collectors in the salesroom. A green glass vase by Emil Gallé, decorated with a multi-coloured iris motif and inscribed “Soyez toujours joyeux” brought a price of CHF 46 360 and thereby proved to be the highest priced item in the sale (Lot 7). Further sought-after works by Gallé were the four stacking tables circa 1900 with flower and fruit intarsia. Together, they went to a new owner for CHF 18 300 (Lot 134). Equally successful was a small wooden table by Carlo Bugatti circa 1900 with leather and brass inlays, which sold for CHF 12 200 (Lot 130).

Design
Gold and silver are in fashion
In the design section, the high demand for objects in silver and gold was noticeable. The top lot was the salon table by Salvador Dalì made of gilt metal and Carrara marble. The table, known as the “Leda” model, was produced in 1935 by Joachim Camps for Barcelona Design. The auction price at Koller Geneva stood at CHF 15 860, which was just above the upper estimate of CHF 12 000 (Lot 202). With a sale price of CHF 14 640 a silver bowl inscribed “980 design” by the famous Danish designer Henning Koppel went over the upper estimate (Lot 222). Two silver carafes made in 1986 designed by Mario Botta for Cleto Munari found buyers at CHF 4 880 (Lot 259). Classic design objects in wood were also in demand. The “Office cane chair PJ-SI-28” from the workshop of Pierre Jeanneret, cousin and long-standing work colleague of Le Corbusier went for CHF 6 700 which was also over the upper estimate (Lot 212).

Paintings and Sculpture
Great sculptors and painters from French speaking Switzerland
A high demand for large format sculptures has again emerged. The 175 cm-high bronze sculpture “Metamorphose” by Francois Stahly was judged by the market to be worth CHF 36 600 consequently well over the upper estimate of CHF 25 000. Traditionally Koller Geneva has always had good results with 20th century painters from West Switzerland. Charles L’Eplattenier is increasingly seen as reliable. For his charming and colourful view of the Bassin du Doubs from 1946 the sum of CHF 32 940 was offered (Lot 475) and his autumn landscape at La-Chaux-de-Fonds went for the price of CHF 14 640 (Lot 474). Lot 473 proved a minor sensation: a discreet winter landscape with houses rendered in oils by Gérard de Palezieux from 1947. The painting, estimated at CHF 4 000 / 6 000 brought, after a long bidding battle, a price of CHF 25 620. The French painter Henri Charles Manguin also enjoyed success at auction. His three works were all sold, including the summer fruit still life with strawberries and cherries from 1944 at CHF 14 640 (Lot 413).

Books
One of the highlights amongst the books was a volume published by Pierre Ronsard with 126 lithographs by Henri Matisse. The album bears the title “Florilège des Amours”. Matisse illustrated the 126 love poems which he had selected. The volume was sold by Koller Geneva within its estimate at a price of CHF 21 960 (Lot 681).