press release - Hermann Historica

PRESS RELEASE
Record bids for orders and memorabilia from the
Tsarist Empire in the autumn auction of Hermann
Historica oHG, Munich
Edged weapons dating from antiquity to the 19th century, exquisite
Kunstkammer objects, memorabilia of well-known figures and
exhibits from Russian history dominated the 65th auction of the
specialised auction house.
Munich, November 2012 – All specialist areas represented by
Hermann Historica – antiquities, arms and armour, arts and crafts,
hunting collectibles and objects from history and military history –
reported excellent results, with some lots multiplying their estimated
price several times over. A total of approximately 5,370 collectors'
items came under the hammer at the autumn auction 2012.
Objects from history and military history
First-class artefacts from the Tsarist Empire caused a flurry of
excitement at the autumn auction. No sooner was one of the main
showpieces of this section called than an exchange of bids flared up
in the room, online and by telephone, lasting several minutes. Prior
to the auction, the flintlock shotgun from Tula, dated 1741, that had
belonged to Tsarina Elizabeth Petrovna (1709 – 1762), had been
the subject of lengthy discussion among experts. With a starting
price of 60,000 euros, the rarity and verifiable provenance of the
elaborately engraved and gilded gun with iron chiselling, together
with its museum significance, were reflected in the sensational
result of 145,000 euros.
The remainder of the first day of the militaria auction was entirely
dominated by the Russian double-headed eagle. Lots from Tsarist
Russia fetched eight of the ten highest hammer prices. A significant
presentation sabre purveyed to the tsarist court in Zlatoust circa
1816/1820 was bid up by a remarkable 50,000 euros. The
particularly exquisite edged weapon of the finest quality (a
comparable piece has been documented for the State Hermitage
Museum in St Petersburg) changed hands for no less than 65,000
euros. Equally keen was the interest in memorabilia from the
personal possessions of Tsar Nicholas II (1868 - 1918). Signed by
his own hand and marked "Swinemünde 1907", a portrait
photograph of the Romanov tsar sold for the princely sum of 33,000
euros, dwarfing its limit of 2,000 euros. In deference to his father,
the last tsar retained a lower rank in public at all times; accordingly,
this remarkable photographic historical document shows him in a
borrowed uniform. In comparison, the hammer fell at 32,000 euros
for his personal lapis lazuli seal with a double-headed eagle on a St
Andrew's cross and a monogram on the breast shield (starting price
5,000 euros).
"The prices for top-quality, selected pieces from Russia, particularly
when they come onto the market from older collections, have
remained gratifyingly high for several years", Thomas Rief, general
manager and co-owner of Hermann Historica summed up the
successful militaria auction. It came as no surprise, then, that the
rare Russian orders also fetched record prices. With an estimate of
7,000 euros, an Orders Cross 2nd Class with the Crown of the
Order of St. Anne was sold to a bidder for 63,000 euros. The striking
St. Petersburg artwork with its extremely fine enamel painting dates
from the year 1856. Bidding started at 8,000 euros for lot number
3054, a Breast Star of the Order of Alexander Nevsky, Russia's
second-highest Order of Merit. Still in its original case, this piece
was sold for 36,000 euros to a buyer from the same country of
origin.
It was, however, not just memorabilia owned by illustrious historical
personages and items from military careers of Russian origin that
attracted lively interest. Mementos from the personal property of
members of Bavarian and Austrian ruling houses were once again
in great demand, such as a fully outfitted wardrobe box belonging to
the Empress Elisabeth of Austria from Seisenegg Castle. The
garments and correspondence, including a lady's ensemble, a
parasol, various fine undergarments, gloves, handkerchiefs and a
number of letters, introduced at 7,500 euros, fetched a hammer
price of 32,000 euros.
Among the military edged weapons, experts were fascinated by an
impressive weapon of honour from the late 18th century, in other
words, the final days of the French Revolution or the early years of
Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power as First Consul of France.
Notwithstanding the estimate of 12,000 euros, the characteristically
wrought sabre of honour from Klingenthal achieved a winning bid of
41,000 euros. A field cap from the possessions of the legendary
World War I pilot, Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen (1892 - 1918),
and dating from that period, was put up for auction. Spirited bidding
raised the price of this important piece of German Luftwaffe history,
whose provenance is fully documented, from 5,000 to 20,000 euros.
Antiquities
Once again, in this auction, the rich variety of objects on offer in the
antiquities catalogue from all ancient eras and regions was truly
impressive. Even during the run-up, well-preserved early helmets
had attracted a great deal of interest, among them a spectacular
Illyrian helmet from the sixth century BC. Made of bronze and with a
border of lentil-shaped decorative rivets, it was introduced at 8,000
euros, yet the helmet sold for the substantial sum of 19,000 euros.
Dating from the third century AD, a rare blade of a Roman Gladius
Pompeianus fetched 11,500 euros, almost six times its estimate.
Originating from the same period, the heavy gold ring of an officer in
the Roman Legio XI was up for sale at 10,000 euros. With a cameo
of blue layer agate on the top, bearing the inscription "LEG XI
CLAU" amid two stars, the winning bid for this valuable piece of
jewellery was 12,500 euros. Furthermore, a beautiful and highquality bulbous jug with sculptural handles and a fine patina fetched
a hammer price of 10,000 euros.
Arms and armour, arts and crafts
Once again, the auction saw very pleasant results in the hunting
collectibles and arts and crafts section. As in previous years, the
demand among international collectors for Kunstkammer objects
and historical hunting trophies in particular was as high as ever,
which became obvious when a 20th century golden miniature
casket, an outstanding exemplar of jeweller's artistry, was put up for
auction.: A connoisseur was prepared to part with 15,600 euros for
the exact copy of a tiny 17th century iron casket, made of 18 carat
yellow and white gold and set with 14 diamonds. Of much earlier
date, less sumptuously crafted but of museum quality, was a
Romanesque tripodal pricket candle holder from the eleventh/twelfth
century. The two-tiered figural candle holder, made of tin in relief
and crowned with a drip pan, was sold for 12,000 euros. Among the
particularly decorative objects on offer was a German silvermounted rhinoceros horn cup, 1900 – 1930. With its intricate and
continuous high relief carvings of maidens bathing, the honeycoloured, slightly transparent horn now adorns the collection of its
new owner, who bid 18,000 euros for it. Furthermore, natural horn
achieved again high five-figure hammer prices, such as 82,000
euros for a magnificent historical rhinoceros trophy (starting price
35,000).
Once more, outstanding collectors' items of formidable provenance
were among the arms and armour offered for bidding. These
included a rare bijou of perfectly crafted armourer's artistry, in the
form of a significant miniature armour from the workshop of E.
Granger, known to have worked in Paris during the first half of the
19th century. The knight and his steed are meticulously fashioned in
the style of circa 1530/40; of the finest quality, each piece of armour
was modelled on the original and is fully articulated as well as
functional, including the sliding lames. Naturally, the price reflected
a great rarity such as this; the winning bid for this unique piece,
estimated at 8,000 euros, was 25,000 euros. As in previous
auctions, the demand for high-quality edged weapons which are
characteristic of their time period was consistently high in all
sections. Noteworthy here is a German knightly sword from the
eleventh century, whose double-edged blade is embellished with
gold inlays on both sides of the upper third. With its eye-catching
semi-circular pommel of tapering profile, the sword had long
occupied pride of place in an older Munich collection; introduced at
4,500 euros, it fetched a hammer price of 12,500 euros. There were
also favourable results for an Austrian as well as a German twohand sword, which each sold for 10,500 euros. While the Austrian
sword, forged circa 1580, was put up for auction for 6,000 euros, the
South-German flamberge of slightly later date had been estimated
at 6,500 euros.
Orient and Asia
The market for exceptional and high-quality objects from China, the
Ottoman Empire, India and Japan continues to grow steadily. This
autumn, once again, the varied, impressive range of objects met
with appreciation from around the world; thus, the large number of
sumptuously worked arms and the sensational chamfrons in the
auction did not escape the attention of the international Orient
collectors. The East Anatolian or West Iranian wrought iron
chamfrons can be attributed to the early 17th century. Decorated
with cartouches and the signet of the Saint Irene arsenal in
Constantinople, they had been moderately estimated at 12,000 and
9,000 euros but realised the remarkable sums of 35,000 and 25,000
euros, respectively.
Particularly striking was a superb rhinoceros horn cup from the
Middle Kingdom, adorned with rich symbolism and dating from the
18th century. The extremely appealing lotus bouquet cup had been
completely carved in the shape of a wreath of lotus blossoms and
leaves as well as millet and arrowhead. The carving symbolises the
values of purity, generosity and abundance in times of hardship.
The unique, caramel to amber-coloured object sold for 24,000
euros.
Fine antique and modern firearms
Among the available lots of exclusive antique firearms were
collectors' items that only rarely come onto on the market. Pairs of
elaborately crafted pistols were especially sought-after in this year's
autumn auction. Such was the case with a pair of double-barrelled
hammer pistols from the workshop of the gunsmith Ferdinand
Reuss in Mehlis, circa 1880/90, offered with the matching case.
With their gold-inlaid signatures, beautifully grained root wood
stocks and extremely fine vine engraving on the furniture, they
made an excellent impression on the collectors and consequently
were bid up to 23,000 from 7.500 euros. Also for sale was an
exquisite
cased
pair
of
flintlock
pistols,
Prochaska,
Chrudim/Bohemia, dated 1824 and complete with extensive
accessories. With a starting price of 9,800 euros, these fine
specimens were sold for 15,000 euros. In addition, a wheellock rifle
manufactured and signed by Gabriel Dorn in Nuremberg dating from
1663, with an estimate of 8,000 euros, realised a hammer price of
13,000 euros.
Moreover, also up for auction were exceptionally rare examples of
modern arms. A Mauser self-loading carbine model 1915, in calibre
8 x 57 fetched a price of 15,000 euros. Its limit of 900 euros
notwithstanding, a collector paid a remarkable 8,500 euros for an
engineer's needle-fire rifle model 1869 in 15.3 mm calibre, number
6076 and lock number 569.
All prices are net prices and are to be understood plus 23 percent
surcharge. Unsold objects can still be purchased.
Copies permitted – please send proof to:
Further information and high-definition picture material:
Maria Burdick
Kommunikation und Marketing
Elvirastraße 16
D-80636 München
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 - 18 14 15
E-Mail: [email protected]
About Hermann Historica
Hermann Historica oHG, Munich, is one of the world's leading auction houses in the
following special areas: antique arms and armours, hunting collectibles, antiquities,
orders as well as objects from history and military history. Founded as early as almost 50
years ago by Count Erich Klenau von Klenova, Baron von Janowitz in Nuremberg as an
auction house for coins, from the very beginning also orders and decorations as well as
objects of military history were put up to auction. In the early seventies the range of the
auctions was broadened by the category of “antique arms and armour”. The wide range
with its thoroughly researched and elaborately designed special catalogues was soon
accepted by international collectors and museums. In 1982 the present owners renamed
the auction house Hermann Historica oHG, and at least two auctions are conducted
annually which address more than 40,000 clients worldwide. Particularly sensational are
the numerous objects from the possessions of noble houses, notably those of the
German and Austrian imperial family, which continue to attract international attention, as
well as the auctions dispersing complete collections such as the sale of the hunting
treasures of Castle Fuschl in Salzburg, the liquidation of the Nümbrecht Museum of
Historical Technology, the worldwide biggest auctions of "Children’s Dreams on Wheels",
the pedal cars of the Centre of Extraordinary Museums in Munich as well as the sale of
the Axel Guttmann Collection of Antique Arms and Armour.
www.hermann-historica.com
All Pictures: Copyright Hermann Historica oHG 2012
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Significant presentation sabre
purveyed to the tsarist court in
Zlatoust circa 1816/1820.
HP: 65,000 Euros
From the personal legacy of
Tsarina Elisabeth Petrovna
(1709 - 1762) a flintlock
shotgun from Thula, 1741.
HP: 145,000 Euros
A 2 Class Orders Cross with
Crown of the Order of St. Anne.
HP: 63,000 Euros
nd
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Fully outfitted wardrobe box
belonging to the Empress
Elisabeth of Austria.
HP: 32,000 Euros
Significant miniature armour in
the style of circa 1530/40 from
workshop of E. Granger, Paris.
HP: 25,000 Euros
A portrait photograph of Tsar
Nikolaus II. "Swinemünde
1907".
HP: 33,000 Euros
_
_
_
German knightly sword from
the eleventh century.
HP: 12,500 Euros
Illyrian helmet from the sixth
century BC.
HP: 19,000 Euros
A romanesque tripodal tin
candle holder from the
eleventh/twelfth century.
HP: 12,000 Euros
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_
A German silver-mounted,
carved rhinoceros horn cup.
HP: 18,000 Euros
Two extraordinarily beautiful
chamfrons originate from
Eastern Anatolia or West Iran,
th
early 17 century.
HP: 35,000 + 25,000 Euros
Beautiful and equipped with
rich symbolism is the Chinese
rhinoceros horn libation cup
th
from the 18 century.
HP: 24,000 Euros
_
_
Case with a pair of double-barrelled hammer
pistols from the workshop of the gunsmith
Ferdinand Reuss in Mehlis, circa 1880/90.
HP: 23,000 Euros
Exquisite cased pair of flintlock pistols,
Prochaska, Chrudim/Bohemia, dated 1824 and
complete with extensive accessories.
HP: 15,000 Euros
HP = Hammer Price