Gold jewelry, swords & antiquities led Hermann Historica’s November sales
Gold necklace from the second millennium BCE, €131,250
MUNICH, Germany – Hermann Historica kicked off a stellar series of sales on November 22 with its Works of Art, Asiatica and Antiquities auction. Its catalog featured almost 900 lots, many of which were the subjects of keen bidding wars.
Lot 617, a famille verte gu vase with finely colored decor and estimated at €1,000-€2,000, appealed to numerous collectors. The winning bidder offered €6,250.
Famille verte gu vase, €6,250
The antiquities section of the lineup featured a number of objects with starting prices in the high five-figure range. A gold necklace dating from the second millennium BCE and estimated at €90,000-€180,000 closed at a gratifying €131,250.
Minoan rhyton, or terracotta drinking vessel, €13,750
A Minoan rhyton, or terracotta drinking vessel, from ancient Greece was estimated at €4,500-€9,000 and went on to achieve €13,750.
Military iron face mask from the Roman Empire, €72,500
Number 798, an uncommonly well-preserved military iron face mask from the Roman Empire, was regarded as a top lot and it delivered. It achieved €72,500, almost tripling its low estimate of €25,000. During the Roman Empire, only highly experienced blacksmiths with outstanding craftsmanship skills were able to create iron masks of this caliber, and the high five-figure sum reflects its value.
The auction on November 23, titled Antique arms and armor from all over the world, featured almost 280 objects.
South German Langes Messer, or one-handed sword, €42,500
The absolute highlight of the day, which gave rise to euphoric scenes in the sale room, was a Langes Messer, or one-handed sword from South Germany. Dating to circa 1530-1540, it carried an estimate of €12,000-€24,000. Antique weapons of this superlative quality and courtly bearing are almost never found outside of museum collections. The triumphant bidder pledged €42,500 for the sword.
Also from South Germany, a Renaissance crossbow featuring a heavy, iron prod with lavishly adorned bone and estimated at €12,000-€24,000 rose to a final price of €27,500.
The current rate of exchange is €1 = $1.12.
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