MUNICH, Germany – Hermann Historica held its second series of auctions for 2023 between June 26 and June 30. With just under 3,000 lots, the auction house kept its crowds of buyers busy. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated through LiveAuctioneers.

Works of Art and Antiquities, June 26
This online auction boasted a lineup of roughly 650 lots and the very first lot, number 5001, caused a flurry of excitement. Opening at €450, two ushabtis and a statuette of Osiris from the first millennium B.C. unleashed an avalanche of offers, culminating in a winning bid of €3,375 euros.

A similar fate befell the bidders for a Roman marble frieze from the first century A.D. The fragment, which was in immaculate condition, had a low estimate of €550. Within seconds, bids came thick and fast, and the antiquity ultimately earned €4,500.

Among the Asian art choices, an exquisitely embellished vase from China set pulses racing. Stamped with the Daoguang six-character mark, the polychrome Doucai dragon jar brought €2,375.

Antique Arms and Armor from all over the world, June 27
This auction featured 175 lots of antique arms and armor from all over the world. Of course, swords and daggers were particularly sought-after.

Worthy of special mention is a circa-1900 Caucasian kinjal boasting an ornamental engraved grip inlaid in gold and silver. The enticing sword achieved €1,750.

Meanwhile, three magnificently etched daos from China went on to eclipse their low estimate of €350. The trio of 18th- and 19th-century edged weapons sold for €3,750.

Even during the run-up to the auction, lot 6090 proved a huge draw within the selection of penal instruments and torture devices. The circa-1800 two-hand executioner’s sword was pursued by several bidders determined to acquire it. Resplendent in gilt, with a 17th-century etched blade, the sword settled at €3,625.

Fine Antique and Modern Firearms, June 28
Almost 1,000 lots from five centuries of antique and modern firearms made for a long auction day. Nonetheless, buyers demonstrated steely resolve and stamina, resulting in exceptional sales, making this Wednesday event the climax of the late June auction series.

Innumerable collectors fought to claim the Korth revolver, a triple-lock test version with an extremely rare triple locking action on the cylinder. The low estimate of €2,500 soon fell by the wayside, and no wonder, as just 25 examples of this test version were ever produced. The firearm chalked up the top price of the day, a sensational €16,250.

Another rare weapon, a Finnish standard pistol Lahti L-35, certainly did not disappoint. It retained its original detachable stock, which is seldom found on the market. Just 50 such stocks were built in 1937, yet were never established for military use. Closing at €10,000, the pistol exactly doubled its reserve.

The Lee-Enfield L 42 A1 bolt-action sniper rifle also triggered a veritable onslaught of bids. As the set was complete – the firearm came with a telescopic sight no. 32 and the associated, filled transport case – it raced past its low estimate of €2,700 before reaching a very respectable €8,750.

Orders and Military Collectibles until 1918, June 29
The fourth day of the auction series contained almost 500 lots, from rare orders to swords, uniforms and all manner of historical documents. Among the insignia, the Bavarian Military Order of Merit was considered a spectacular highlight. Produced by Hemmerle between 1905 and 1918, the unusual Officer’s Cross with Crown and Swords won €6,500.

Lot number 8177 took everyone by surprise. The rather unremarkable burl wood box from the first half of the 19th century sported a relief portrait of Napoleon I in gold on the lid. The beautiful design – and perhaps the fact that its low estimate was €150 euros – provoked a crush of bids. In the end, the box found a buyer for €2,625.

Among the edged weapons, a heavy cavalry sword for cuirassier officers of the Garde Imperiale, with its blade of triangular section and an elegant iron edge, certainly caused a stir. On account of its fine condition, the superior thrusting weapon from the Second Empire had been assigned a low estimate of €1,800. However the unusual cavalry sword ultimately sold for €3,500.

Although it was produced for a theatre performance and not a genuine royal person, lot 8317, a set of splendid 20th-century vestments worn by Bavarian kings, earned applause in the form of brisk bidding. One enthusiast fulfilled his dream of owning the majestic, highly distinguished garment for €1,750.

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The current rate of exchange is €1 = $1.08.

Click to view top auction results on LiveAuctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/