Lalique Only

Among the approximately 800 selected objects in our semi-annual Art Nouveau/Art Déco auction, are, once again, some very special treasures.   On Tuesday, as always, we start with international glass. Having had great success in the past, the works of René Lalique will again be presented in a separate catalogue. The extremely rare 'Six Danseuses' table light from 1931 is one of the highlights of this section. It is made of satined moulded glass. It shows a women's round dance divided by garlands and is offered at EUR 9.000 - 12.000.

The selection of French glass also puts the works of Daum Frères and Emile Gallé in the foreground. One of the most prominent pieces is Emile Gallé's 'Papillon' vase from 1898. The scenery is "dreamlike", the three slightly stylised butterflies, applied in marquetry, sit in an unreal, evening landscape whose hazy aura is intensified by the fine, included, air bubbles. The vase can be purchased for EUR 18.000 – 24.000.

In addition to French glass, we also offer - apart from a small collection of Josef Hoffmann designs - works by smaller and larger Czech and German manufactories, which should be interesting for potential newcomers to the world of collector's glass.

On Wednesday, the sale will continue with a selection of ceramics, bronzes and other objects.

We are especially pleased to present a wonderful collection of about 20 ceramic figurines by the ladies of the Wiener Werkstätte. Wally Wieselthier's 'Head' from 1928, with an orange hat and a flower, is probably the most famous piece of the offer. For EUR 2.200 – 2.800, it is realistically estimated. Lotte Calm's 'Heavenly and Earthly Love', 1923-25, is only rarely seen on the market. Another example of the two female figures that stretch up to the sky in dynamic motion, can be found in the collection of the Bröhan Museum in Berlin. For EUR 500 - 700 a happy collector could now take this one home. Susi Singer is represented with a total of seven works. Her expressive figures from the twenties and thirties, some of them created in her own workshop in Grünbach, should also find numerous enthusiasts. The sitting nude from 1927, who modestly covers her torso with a cloth, is certainly most typical of Singer's style. The figure is valued at EUR 400 - 600.

Among the approximately 120 ceramics on offer in the auction, the rare owl by Emile Gallé should also be mentioned. The artist created it around 1889. The bird is estimated at EUR 4.000 - 6.000.

The selection of bronzes is once again dominated by Ferdinand Preiss' fantastic designs. Whether entirely carved in ivory or made of chryselephantine, the interest in his works is undiminished. 'Diana', 1928, is a good example of his work. A classical motif, which he combined with the style of his time. The huntress has a firm foothold on the ground and a firm hand on bow and arrow; her aim firmly in sight. The figurine is now available for EUR 25.000 - 30.000.

In the silver section we can offer you a special lidded box made of silver-plated brass by Polish artist Julia Keilowa. The inside gold plated box is estimated for EUR 900 - 1,200 and will also be offered in the second part of our Art Nouveau auction.

The ladies of the Wiener Werkstätte in the centre of attention

We are very happy to have concluded a very successful Art Nouveau / Art Déco auction. This time it was sculptures, made of bronze and ceramics, as well as a number of pieces of furniture that earned us one of the most successful auctions in recent years with a turnover, all-in-all, of around EUR 760,000. Upon receiving the collection of around 20 figurative ceramics from the ladies of the Wiener Werkstätte, which had been assembled with great care over the years, we were absolutely thrilled!

We were even more delighted when we succeeded in selling the entire collection. The four works by Vally Wieselthier received the highest prices of the selection. Two private collectors divided the three heads and the standing figure in fierce bidding battles between themselves. 'Phyllis' from 1919 (488), set at a moderate EUR 1,000, finally went to Switzerland for EUR 21,000. The same collector also secured the next lot, a head with curly hair, for EUR 25,000 (489, estimate EUR 2,500 – 3,000), while the other two pieces remain in Germany.

Ferdinand Preiss' 'Spring Sun' caused a sensation within the bronzes section. The unclothed young woman made of gilded bronze, stretching towards the sun, far exceeded her estimated price and was finally sold to a German collector for EUR 32,000 (462).

Louis Majorelle's furniture was also in great demand. Three of his showcases were hotly contested. The highest bid was received for the extremely rare showcase with carved legs from 1903. It is now part of a German collection for EUR 30,000 (787).

French Art Nouveau glass was, as always, in high demand, with the usual leading protagonists Daum Frères and Emile Gallé this time having to share the collectors' attention in particular with Pâte de Verre objects and the works by the Verreries Schneider. A rare table light with checkerboard pattern by Schneider (293), as well as a bowl by François Décorchemont (195), were sold for EUR 6,000, each.

Other great results were provided by Emile Gallé's owl from 1889, having climbed from EUR 4,000 to 14,000 (474), a pendant light from Vienna, around 1905, which, called up for EUR 1,200, was sold for 3,300 (663) and a lidded box that could be attributed to the Polish designer Julia Keilowa only after the catalogue was printed. Estimated at EUR 900, it was raised to EUR 2,000 by clients on several phones (636). A piece by Félix Rasumny should be mentioned among the jewellery selection; The gold pendant, decorated on both sides, now belongs to a Munich collector for EUR 2,300 (699, EUR 800 - 1,000)

The special Lalique sale was also very popular, the highest hammer price of EUR 7,200 here went to the rare table light 'Six Danseuses' from the year 1931 (42).

Further beautiful objects are available in our post-auction sale until December 18th.