ZURICH.- Hidden in a private collection for decades, a fabulous folding triptych by Lucas Cranach and his Studio was rediscovered by Koller’s specialists and will be offered in the 31 March Old Master Paintings auction in Zurich. Dating from circa 1515, it shows a tender depiction of the Annunciation on its central panel, flanked by panels with Saints Barbara and Catherine. As the central panel would have been exposed to view only on special feast days, the side panels close to reveal Christ as the Man of Sorrows and Mary as the Mother of Sorrows. This work, of extreme rarity, is likely one of the last surviving German Renaissance altarpieces available for purchase (lot 3014, CHF 800 000 / 1 200 000).

Further highlights among the Old Masters include a sumptuous ‘Allegory of the five senses’ by Flemish artist Jan Cossiers, circa 1640 (lot 3045, CHF 400 000 / 600 000), and an important still life from the Dutch Golden Age by Willem Claesz. Heda (lot 3027, CHF 400 000 / 600 000). Among the 19th Century Paintings on offer is a beautifully painted interior genre scene by the Hungarian ‘Prince of painters’, Mihály von Munkácsy (lot 3231, CHF 100 000 / 150 000).

The Decorative Arts auction on 30 March features early Meissen porcelain and French furniture from a South German aristocratic collection, as well as a small collection of Fürstenberg porcelain figurines, some quite rare, from another aristocratic collection. Among the sculptural works in the sale is a larger-than-life marble figure of Adonis by the circle of Berthel Thorvaldsen (lot 1349, CHF 125 000 / 180 000).