Auctionhouse Dr Fischer’s sales of ceramics and Russian works of art were conducted on December 1.
Some 600 lots comprising a comprehensive range of European works of art lured a number of collectors and dealers to the Trappenseeschlösschen saleroom, as high interest and numerous battles focused particularly on Romanian ceramics and icons.
The china category was highlighted by a plate belonging to the “Swan-Service” of Earl of Brühl (1737‱741) by Johann Joachim Kaendler, which sold for $17,650.
Strong results were also achieved in the category of Art Nouveau porcelain. Here, a female dancer by Konrad Hentschel earned $8,380. A girl named “Lotusblume” by Karl Himmelstoss fetched $6,175, and the expressive Russian ballet dancer Karsawina in the role of Zobeide from Scheherazade , designed by Constantin Holzer Defanti, sold for $5,150.
A “day and night” clock by Gustav Oppel, its face portraying flanking Greek gods Apollo and Selene, achieved double its presale estimate after extensive bidding, closing at $12,500.
Emotions rose higher when a vase by the French artist Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann opened at $2,000. Several bidders competing on the telephone and in the saleroom drove the price to $25,900.
Faience witnessed a surprise. A rare Saxon jug from the mid-Eighteenth Century quintupled its estimate and realized $8,830.
A taste of the strong demand for Transylvanian crafts came when a Transylvanian jug, 1740, was called up. The jug depicting a living tree climbed from $7,000 to $13,000.
In a clear sign that the art market is still strong among collectors and dealers for Russian art, a military plate from the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory quintupled its estimate to bring a record price of $46,330.
The silver category was highlighted by two works by Fabergé. A carafe with a silver fish mount, 1890, fetched $37,000, more than double its estimate. The second star was a Fabergé kovsh with a double eagle, 1898‱903. After heated bidding, the piece brought $22,200.
Paintings offered a broad selection of Russian artists. A painting by Richard Karlovich Zommer (1866‱939) carried a high estimate, and its price rose even higher to close at $31,600.
Vladimir Ovchinnikov’s 1941 work opened at $9,500. In a battle between bidders on the telephone and saleroom, it tripled its estimate to realize $33,370.
A wooden casket with Petersburg views also achieved a strong price. It soared to $37,000, six times its high estimate.
Among the bronzes there was a work by sculptor Piotr Alexandrovich Samonov (1863‱910) depicting a Cossack riding. It fetched $11,170.
Prices reported have been converted from euros to US dollars and include the 26 percent buyer’s premium.
For information, 49 7131 155570 or www.auctions-fischer.de .
