GENEVA.- Originally housed in the Château de Penthes (opposite), which closed two years ago, the Foundation was born of the combined passion of Jean-René Bory (1928-2009) and the enthusiasm of numerous donors. Its objective was "to make known as widely as possible the history of the Swiss who, throughout the world, exercised a significant influence on the civilisation of their time", from a military point of view as well as in the scientific, cultural and economic fields.

The collection is of a rare diversity and includes more than 500 lots rich in uniforms, old weapons, portraits, phaleristics, numismatics, old books and fine arts from illustrious Swiss families: Affry, Besenval, Burckhardt, Crousaz, Diesbach, Fischer, Gélieu, Gingins, Griset de Forel, Haldimand, La Harpe, Marval, May, Meuron, Necker, Pfyffer, Pictet, Reding, Rigot de Begnins, Salis, Schumacher, Schulthess, Tronchin, Vasserot de Vincy, etc.

"We are very honoured to present and to have been able to revalue, through several months of historical and scientific work, this incredible collection which has proved to the whole world that Switzerland's contribution to the march of history was inversely proportional to its geographical size," comments Bernard Piguet, Director and Auctioneer of the firm.

Rare phaleristics and numismatics

The three rarest and most prestigious orders in European history are brought together: the Order of the Golden Fleece from the de Watteville family (lot 45, estimated at CHF 5,000-7,000), the Order of the Garter (lot 46, estimated at CHF 2,000-3,000) and the Order of the Holy Spirit awarded to Count Louis-Auguste-Augustin d'Affry, the one and only Swiss to have ever received this order from the French monarchy (lot 34 opposite, estimated at CHF 3,000-5,000).

Rare and highly distinguished medals include the Copley Medal of the Royal Society (London) awarded to the Genevan scientist Jean-André Deluc (1727-1817) (lot 60, estimated at CHF 3,000-5,000), as well as the "Haller" Medal of Merit from Bern (lot 61, estimated at CHF 6,000-8,000).

Textiles and antiquarian books

In the textile section, the visitor travels through European history with the gentleman’s habit of Louis XVI's minister Jacques Necker in floral embroidered satin (lot 74 opposite, estimated at CHF 1,000-1,500), military uniforms of the Swiss Royal Guard in the service of the Kingdom of France (lots 36 and 37), the military uniforms of Felix von Schumacher (1814-1894), a general in the service of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (lot 40, estimated at CHF 2,000-3,000), and a ceremonial coat of the Knight Grand Cross of the Spanish Royal and Distinguished Order of Charles III (lot 44, estimated at CHF 3,000-5,000).

One of the main themes of the library held at the Château de Penthes is the service of the Swiss abroad, with for example a State of the composition of the Regiment of the Swiss Guards with the arms of the Comte d'Artois, future Charles X, brother of Louis XVI (lot 85). The library also includes rare works of documentation and geography in old editions as well as beautiful bindings with the arms of the Marquise de Pompadour (lot 89) or the imposing book of festivals with the arms of the city of Paris (lot 83).

Napoleon I souvenirs

Four Exceptional gold medals from the First French Empire, from the family of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of the French (lots 55 to 58). These medals were acquired at the 1950 auction at Villa Prangins by one of the greatest patrons of the Foundation of the Swiss in the World: Louis Birkigt, son of the founder of the firm Hispano-Suiza.

The more intimate lot 4191 contains hair and a fragment of the emperor’s coffin.

Furniture, objets d’art and collectables




Among the furniture and objets d'art is an important gold, enamel and diamond snuffbox, presented by Tsar Alexander I to General Willem du Pont for his loyal services and which has remained in the same family to this day (lot 52 opposite, estimated at CHF 40,000-60,000).

A Regency period chest of drawers comes from the family of Paul-Louis Weiler, a great patron of the arts (lot 77, estimated at CHF 30,000-50,000), while a bust by Swiss sculptor Une image contenant texte, trousse de secours, signe, rouge Description générée automatiquementEdouard Marcel Sandoz (1881-1971) depicts General Henri Guisan, commander-in-chief of the Swiss army throughout the Second World War (lot 66, estimated at CHF 2,000-3,000).

Finally, some more contemporary objects relate the exploits of the aviator Audemars (lots 4082 and 4083) or the stay of a Swiss flag in space brought back by the astronaut Claude Nicollier (lot 4389 opposite estimated at CHF 300-500).

The Minkoff collection: Contemporary Art and Primitive Art

Piguet is honoured to have been chosen to showcase another important Swiss collection: the collection of Genevans Muriel Minkoff-Olesen (1948-2020) and Gérald Minkoff (1937-2009).

An emblematic couple in contemporary art, these two artists and video makers met in 1967. Muriel, trained at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs in Geneva, produced a series of works that she exhibited from 1972 in Switzerland and abroad (Spain, France). Gérald, initially training in anthropology and biology, became a pioneer in video art. From 1968, he exhibited his installations in Europe and abroad (Italy, United States, Brazil). Passionate about travel, the Olesen-Minkoff couple criss-crossed the globe from Africa to Patagonia, passing through Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

Their collection illustrates their multiple interests in art, from the New Realists to the Fluxus movement to Pop Art. Daniel Spoerri's lunches (lots 140 and 4722) and Arman's deconstructed violins (lots 122 and 123 opposite, estimated at CHF 12,000-18,000) sit alongside three important "Concetto Spaziale" sculptures by Fontana (lots 129 and 130 on page 2, estimated at CHF 80,000-120,000), two works by Roy Lichtenstein (lots 131 and 132) and a creation by Christo (lot 125). Other pieces refer to their friendships, Une image contenant mur, intérieur, différent, pièce Description générée automatiquementnotably with Jean Tinguely (lots 138, 139, etc.), and Man Ray (lots 126, 127, etc.) and some lots dedicated to the couple: 135, 137, etc.).

These contemporary works of art are complemented by a large group of sculptures, statuettes, masks and objects dedicated to the primitive arts, reflecting the couple's love of travel. Among the exceptional variety of objects is a remarkable bronze sculpture of a Yoruba warrior rider dating from the 17th century (lot 108, estimated at CHF 15,000-20,000) and a magnificent Kota reliquary figure (lot 115, estimated at CHF 15,000-20,000).

Thanks to several loans from Swiss and international museums and galleries - Rietberg Museum in Zurich, MEN, Galerie Krinzinger in Vienna, Kunstmuseum in Bern, etc. - the Minkoff collection has made its mark on the art world and more particularly on the Geneva art world following the bequest received by the MAMCO (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Geneva) in 2020.

Other highlights of the week:

Hodler and Rembrandt Bugatti headline Paintings and Sculptures auctions

Une image contenant texte Description générée automatiquementThis autumn, Piguet Hôtel des Ventes is offering a preparatory study by Ferdinand Hodler for the mural he will create for the Council Chamber of the New Town Hall in Hanover. Entitled "Einmütigkeit" (Unanimity), this fresco is one of the artist's most significant works and its preparatory study is a unique and rare record of the complex composition he completed in 1913 (lot 152 opposite, estimated at CHF 200,000-300,000).

For a touch of glamour, the Fine Art category also offers a bronze elephant by Rembrandt Bugatti (1884-1916), which the current Swiss owner acquired at the 1990 sale of the Alain Delon collection (lot 154 opposite, estimated at CHF 80,000-120,000). Works by César (lot 142), Raymond Hans (lot 143), Louise Nevelson (lot 144) and Mark Tobey (lots 147-149) complete the selection of modern and contemporary art.

Luxury and Lifestyle sales online only

The September sales include 900 lots dedicated to luxury and lifestyle sold exclusively on the internet. From 6 to 22 September, auction-goers will be able to follow the progress of the auctions from behind their screens and become the new owner of the highly sought-after Rolex Submariner "Hulk" watch (lot 5097), a harp-shaped music box from the early 19th century (lot 5195 opposite, estimated at CHF 8,000-12,000) or one of the iconic models from the houses of Bulgari, Cartier, Chanel or Van Cleef & Arpels. Let's not forget a selection of Fine Wines and Spirits with wines from the Domaine de la Romanée Conti and other grands crus (Ch. Haut-Brion, Pétrus, etc...), as well as an important collection of Whisky: Macallan, Talisker, etc...