MUNICH, Germany – From May 16 to 20, Hermann Historica auction house will offer 4,000 highly diverse objects in a multi-day live auction. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
The proceedings kick off on Monday, May 16 with a Works of Art, Antiquities, and Asian Art auction, featuring almost 1,000 lots in all. A standout is lot number 15, a Sasanian silver bowl dating from the late sixth to the early seventh century.
It shows a king surrounded by his servants and musicians, and the scene is virtually unprecedented in terms of its complexity and charm. This antique piece de resistance carries an estimate of €250,000-€500,000.
Lot 158 is embellished with a masterly representation of Chinese brush art, albeit not in written but in painted form. A famille rose vase of sizeable proportions boasts a scene with herds of deer dotted across an idyllic mountain landscape. Deer were considered highly symbolic in China, representing a long, healthy life and prosperity. The monumental vase is estimated at €3,000-€6,000.
In addition, a tiny silver match case by Carl Faberge is bound to create a flurry of excitement. The turquoise enamel alone would make this accessory an eye-catcher; the lavish application of diamonds will quicken the pulse of any connoisseur. The Faberge match case is estimated at €4,000-€8,000.
May 17, Antique Arms and Armor from All Over the World
On Tuesday, May 17, just under 300 lots of antique arms and armor will be presented at auction. Collectors of treasures from the Far East can look forward to lot 1033, a circa-1840 shamshir from the Ottoman Empire. Spectacular corals and turquoise cabochons on the hilt and scabbard guarantee this sword a place among the premium lots. Moderately estimated at €12,000-€24,000, the shamshir will doubtless spark a bidding war, considering that a similar weapon in lesser condition sold for €20,000 in 2021.
Another jaw-dropping highlight is a circa-1580 German morion. Worn by officers of a cooper’s guild, the fantastic piece of headgear was etched and gilded by true masters of their craft. An identical helmet can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. This example is estimated at €10,000-€20,000.
May 18, Fine Antique and Modern Firearms
The Wednesday, May 18 session is entirely dedicated to Fine Antique and Modern Firearms, promising no fewer than 967 lots. The lineup ranges from flintlock and percussion rifles to modern so-called “shooting devices” and accessories, taking in hunting rifles for daily use along the way.
Worthy of mention is an extremely early wheellock rifle made in South Germany in 1550, estimated at €19,000-€38,000. The profuse, delicately engraved bone inlays show fanciful mythical creatures amidst superb scrolling bands and tendrils. Another exceptional item is a cartridge box made of hammered sheet iron. The semi-circular box from Brunswick, dated circa 1570 to 1580, sports fully sculpted depictions of Abraham and David. It is estimated at €5,500-€11,000.
May 19, Orders and Military Collectibles until 1918 and The Van Bosstraeten Collection
Thursday, May 19 delivers a great many prizes from Germany and across the globe in the form of more than 350 lots of spectacular material. Nevertheless, Hermann Historica has an extra treat in store, a final flourish as it were. The Van Bosstraeten collection, comprising almost 430 exceptional lots, is sure to bring a gleam to the eye of any military enthusiast.
Among the decorations, a Cross 2nd Class from the Order of St. Anna is a particular delight. The much sought-after order by Julius Keibel is rare in and of itself, but the exquisite workmanship of this 1867 piece makes this medal, estimated at €15,000-€30,000, a must for every serious order collector.
Memorabilia from imperial and royal houses include several showstoppers. One of the top lots is an opulent gift box with a delicately painted portrait of Princess Alexandra Amalie of Bavaria, dating from 1850. The gold box by C. M. Weishaupt & Sohne was presented by the princess to the later Empress Sisi on the occasion of her 13th birthday. Its estimate is €7,500-€15,000.
The Van Bosstraeten collection contains prizes such as a circa-1918 test helmet from the Ford Motor Company, estimated at €3,000-€6,000. The helmet is a superb blend of old and new; its shape is characteristic of the Late Middle Ages, but it is completely made of ochre-painted steel. Similar test helmets can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The parade of exceptional lots concludes with a busby made for officers of the 3rd Royal Saxon Hussar Regiment No. 20. Cataloged at number 4172, the busby features fluffy possum fur and a brass star with an appliqued royal coat of arms. The matching white feather plume with its green stem gives this extremely rare, beautifully preserved headgear a certain elegance. It is estimated at €4,000-€8,000.
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