GRASBRUNN, Germany – Hermann Historica enjoyed great success with its autumn series of auctions. Of particular note was its sale of Works of Art, Antiquities, and Asian and Russian Art, held on October 22, as well as its sale of Antique Arms and Armor on October 26.

All 850 lots in the October 22 auction found eager new owners. Antique helmets headed the parade of objects, some of which sold for sensational final prices. Right away there was lively interest in a Corinthian helmet of the early second type that had attracted a great deal of attention during the run-up to the auction. Dating from the 7th century B.C., the helmet achieved €57,500.

The same process played out for a 4th century B.C. pseudo-Chalcidian bronze helmet with ram’s horns. The artefact from the northern Black Sea area ultimately coaxed an enthusiast into bidding a winning sum of €25,000.

However, the piece de resistance of the entire auction was a Chinese bronze torso of a Bodhisvattva in a standing Tribhanga pose. Though it dated to the Tang dynasty, or some time between 618-907 A.D., the fleshy, full-bodied shape clearly indicated the influence of the Indian Gupta period (320-600). The figure earned €75,000.

The demand for works of Asian art continued undiminished. Bidders were particularly drawn to the porcelain pieces from China, among them a large famille noire vase. With its rounded body and elongated neck, the black vase boasted exceptionally graceful lines and was delicately painted with colored flowers and bamboo. Probably dating from the Kangxi period (1661-1722), the decorative piece eventually brought €5,750.

Art collectors were delighted with a special collection of life-size sculptures, one highlight of which was a seated Eve carved by John Warrington Wood (1839 – 1886). The impressive white marble sculpture went for €22,500.

Next up was a small, circa-1720 lavishly embellished war chest from South Germany. Formidable rather than graceful, it was mounted on four flattened ball feet, and its rectangular iron body was covered in decorative tendrils. The phenomenal strongbox closed at €13,750.

Hermann Historica also achieved an astounding final result with lot 565, a miniature lantern clock. The sophisticated metal timepiece was the work of the famous London clockmaker Fromanteel (1607-1693), who was the first to use the pendulum invented by Huygens in 1657 in English clocks. A whopping €32,500 was subsequently bid for this masterpiece.

Antique arms and armor were showcased on October 26 in an auction featuring 332 lots. One highlight was a Rus viking nasal helmet from Eastern Europe, which was forged in the 10th or the 11th century. Its high skull was made of four vertically riveted segments that tapered to a point. The exceptional helmet changed hands for €7,500.

A Bohemian round shield provoked an even larger commotion among the bidders. The bullet-proof piece of armor boasted gold-colored polychrome paint and was decorated with a central Bohemian coat of arms below a crown and a banner reading “Bohemia.” It ultimately sold for €7,250.

A two-hand sword dating to circa 1580 chalked up the best result of the day. Made by the acclaimed bladesmith Wolfgang Stantler II of Passau, the early sword was in untouched condition, and was snapped up for €12,500.

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The current rate of exchange is €1 = $1.02.

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