ZURICH.- From Impressionism to Contemporary Art, and including Asian Art, Jewellery, and Watches, Koller’s June auctions reflected an auction market that is robust, with collectors willing to pay strong prices for attractive works. The Impressionist & Modern Art auction on 23 June featured Gustave Loiseau’s post-Impressionist work, ‘La Rivière (Eure)’ which more than doubled its estimate at CHF 354 000 (lot 3208, est. CHF 150 000/250 000). Works by Marc Chagall were in demand, such as ‘Le vase bleu’ which saw its price soar to four times the estimate at CHF 603 000 (lot 3222, est. CHF 150 000/250 000), ‘Grand bouquet à Vence’ that fetched CHF 354 000 (lot 3267, CHF 300 000/400 000), and ‘La Révolution’ that sold above the upper estimate at CHF 305 000 (lot 3228, est. CHF 200 000/300 000). Expressionist watercolours from a private Basel collection were also the subject of some bidding wars, such as Emil Nolde’s ‘Meer mit Segelboot’, that changed hands for CHF 219 900 (lot 3240, est. CHF 80 000/140 000), and ‘Le vieux pont à Bruges’ by Auguste Herbin that sold for CHF 140 000 against an estimate of CHF 60 000/90 000 (lot 3236).

The PostWar & Contemporary Art auction on 22 June was marked by strong prices for its key works, such as the CHF 274 800 realised for Mark Tobey’s 1964 work, ‘Aquarium’ (lot 3413, est. CHF 130 000/180 000). A large-format work by Ugo Rondinone sold in the upper range of its estimate for CHF 183 000 (lot 3452, est. CHF 100 000/200 000), and Per Kirkeby’s ‘Fram Herbst’ nearly doubled its estimate at CHF 158 900 (lot 3457, CHF 80 000/140 000). A woven sisal work by Magdalena Abakanowicz sold for over four times its estimate at CHF 128 400 (lot 3439, est. CHF 30 000/50 000). Ceramics by Pablo Picasso were highly sought after, including ‘Visage et Hibou’ that fetched CHF 39 000 against an estimate of CHF 15 000/25 000 (lot 3657), and ‘Visage de femme’, sold for CHF 36 900 (lot 3648, est. CHF 20 000/30 000).

Among the Swiss Art on 23 June, a view of the port of Honfleur by Félix Vallotton more than quadrupled its estimate at CHF 488 000 (lot 3028, CHF 100 000/150 000). Gottardo Segantini’s homage to one of the most celebrated works by his father Giovanni, ‘Ave Maria at the Crossing’, sold for CHF 183 000 (lot 3024, CHF 150 000/250 000), and his Alpine landscape ‘Agosto Alpestre’ sold above the upper estimate at CHF 122 000 (lot 3047, est. CHF 60 000/120 000). Works by German/Swiss artist Clara Porges were in demand, for example a view of Lake Cavloccio near Maloja which more than doubled its estimate at CHF 85 700 (lot 3056, est. CHF 30 000/50 000). Alois Carigiet also was a sought-after name, and his 1974 portrait entitled Isidora also sold for CHF 85 700 against an estimate of CHF 30 000/50 000 (lot 3083).