GENEVA.- The major June sales concluded with great success on Thursday evening with a total result of CHF 7.4 million with buyer’s premium. More than 80% of the 3,200 lots in this summer session found buyers during the auctions, which were held predominantly online from June 16 to 19.
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The 68 lots in Thursday evening’s live auction made a significant impact, attracting bidders from around the world who participated in person, by phone, or online. “Presenting high-quality works of art by Cimaroli, Bocion, Picasso, Fabergé, and Klein all in one evening was a privilege. These results reflect not only the quality of the pieces but also the trust of an international audience loyal to our auction house.” said Bernard Piguet, director and auctioneer.
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PICASSO’S SEVEN CERAMICS SOAR TO CHF 272,000
Among the evening’s highlights were seven ceramics by Pablo Picasso, unveiled to the public for the very first time and making their debut on the art market. Created between 1947 and 1963 in the Madoura workshop and coming directly from the artist’s estate, these unique pieces sparked strong enthusiasm. Achieved a global total of CHF 272,000, far exceeding their combined low estimate of CHF 145,000 — a testament to the enduring appeal of the master’s work in all its forms (lots 44 to 50).
WORLD RECORDS FOR BOCION & CIMAROLI
Around 1745–1750, Giovanni Battista Cimaroli (c.1687–c.1753) painted two monumental “vedute” of Venice depicting the Doge’s Palace and the Customs House (lot 27). This outstanding pair of oil paintings changed hands on Thursday selling for CHF 457,000, setting a new world record for the artist — surpassing the previous record set by Sotheby’s in 2004 at EUR 321,227 (approx. CHF 300,000).
A similar level of enthusiasm was seen for a Swiss work by François Bocion, which soared to CHF 216,000, achieving the second-highest price ever recorded for the artist (lot 34).
A ROYAL GIFT REACHES CHF 127,000, FOUR TIMES ITS LOW ESTIMATE
Another highlight of the sale: an important Fabergé clock in gold, silver, blue enamel, and pearls, made in 1907 by Henrik Wigström, one of the greatest goldsmiths of the Russian Imperial Court (lot 6). Having belonged to H.M. Queen Astrid of Belgium, then to H.R.H. Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, this clock remained in the same family until today. A true witness to European history, sold for CHF 127,000. "This excellent result demonstrates the importance of prestigious provenance in today’s auction market," emphasized Bernard Piguet.
CHF 114,000 FOR A BLUE IKB MONOCHROME BY YVES KLEIN, 21 X 17 CM
The contemporary art market was captivated by one of Yves Klein’s earliest monochromes, dated 1959 and remaining unseen until now. The work was created using the famous International Klein Blue (IKB) pigment, which the artist patented the following year in 1960. This small monochrome, measuring just 21 x 17 cm, sold for CHF 114,000 (lot 61). Also noteworthy in the same category was Oiseau Bleu by François-Xavier Lalanne, which sold for CHF 140,000 - more than three times its low estimate (lot 68).
THE ATYPICAL OBJECT OF THE WEEK: A GOLD SKULL CHANGES HANDS FOR CHF 70,000
The gold skull signed by John the Anatomist, an unconventional figure at the crossroads of science and art, was sold for nearly CHF 70,000 (lot 4106).
*Prices achieved include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium.
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