Art Nouveau - Art Deco

Art Nouveau and Art Deco Part I on the 15th of May

Right after the special auction 'Lalique Only' on 15th May, 260 lots of glass will be called up at Quittenbaum's.

The symbolist 'Printemps' vase by Christian Frères & Fils, Meisenthal (estimate €1,500 - €1,900) shows clearly what many patterns of the French glass section entail: Spring fever. Filigree flower patterns and delicate shades set the mood for the warmer season. The 'Magnolias' vase by Daum (estimate €1,800 – €2,400) mesmerizes with pink and opalescent powder inclusions. The tall 'Lac de Côme le Soir' vase by Gallé (estimate €18,000 – €24,000) shows an atmospheric landscape at sunset. With its dark colours, blue, purple, brown and amber, it counts among the highlights of the selection. Gabriel Argy-Rousseau's small 'Araignée et Ronces' vase depicts a fine spun spiderweb among thorns (estimate €5,000 - €6,000). A fabulous 'Cytisus' vase by Loetz will also be presented (estimate €3,500 - €4,500).

Art Nouveau and Art Deco Part II on the 16th of May

In the second part of our Art Nouveau / Art Deco series, Chryselephantine figurines and bronzes are in the centre of attention.

Ferdinand Preiss had a clear conception of ideal femininity. His women appear to be confident, strong, independent, modern. This applies to his sportswomen, dancers and female figures of classical antiquity alike. His 'Diana', c. 1930 (€28,000 - €32,000) holds herself upright, the bow is stretched, aimed at a target. Another highlight is a figurative table light by Raoul Larche, 'La Danse, La Loïe Fuller', designed for the Paris World Fair 1900. Loïe Fuller, the American dancer, used to mesmerize the visitors of the Paris World Fair with her veil dance in a pavilion custom-made for this purpose. Larche's three-piece centrepiece 'La Mer' captivates through its mere, imposing, appearance (€38,000 - €46,000), a dramatic composition of waves, mermaids and sirens, seemingly frozen in place. Two wonderful brooches by Josef Hoffmann are part of the jewellery selection (€8,000 – €10,000 each).

Good results for French Glass – Daum and Gallé in the fore

The first part of the Art Nouveau / Art Deco auction in May was dedicated to Glass. The works by French designers were the most popular, spearheaded by Emile Gallé and the Daum brothers. The tall 'Le Lac de Côme le soir' vase with its atmospheric décor received EUR 23,310 and thus surpassed its expectations by far. Another work by the artist, the tall 'Ornothogale en ombelle' vase, even quadrupled its price at EUR 19,425. The bidders' attention was directed also to the cover lot, the 'Chèvrefeuille' jar. Having been estimated between EUR 1,500 - EUR 2,000, it surprised with receiving proceeds of EUR 9,065. More early designs by Gallé, featuring enamel patterns, sold very well, too.

Rare pieces by Daum Frères were fervently battled over, none more than the 'Libellules et renoncules jaunes' vase that found a new home for EUR 10,360.

In the international section, the 'Pomegranate' table light won bidders over. The piece by Tiffany Studios, New York, changed hands for EUR 9,065. Buy unsold lots in the post auction sale until 15th June.

Strong female figures received high prices

The wonderful figurative table light, 'La Danse, la Loïe Fuller', by Raoul Larche, demonstrates the designer's talent to depict movement. It came as no surprise then that aficionados were placing high bids on it. A private collector got the upper hand over a German museum and got the model for the Paris World Fair in 1900 for EUR 38,850. Instead, the museum was able to purchase Léonard van Weydeveldt’s ‚Danseuse au tambourin‘ from the ‚Je de l’Echarpe‘ centrepiece for EUR 25,900.

Ferdinand Preiss' 'Diana', the cover lot of part 2, epitomises strength and tension. After a fervent bidding war, the highlight of the auction sold for EUR 49,210. Two lovely brooches by Josef Hoffmann were also sought after. While the rectangular piece with opals received a good result with EUR 10,360, the oval brooch surpassed expectations by far. With a sum of EUR 19,425 it managed to double its estimate. Eduard Klablena's 'Arrogance' headed the ceramic section. The stylised peacock received spectacular EUR 7,770.

As was the case in the Glass section, Gallé also dominated the furniture selection. The elegant lady's desk with inlaid pattern received EUR 20,720. Buy unsold lots in the post auction sale until 15th June.