ZURICH.- Koller will start the auction year on 18 March 2013 with a top quality line-up of auction highlights. In the Old Masters sale the auction house is pleased to offer 17 paintings from the collection of the fashion designer Wolfgang Joop. In addition, it will present several rediscovered works by old masters such as Van der Neer. An important grand piano by Erard as well as the oldest art-historical testament to the important Spanish Carthusian monastery Santa Maria del Paular are further highlights of the auction week. The lot with the highest valuation is a loose 8.11 carat diamond at CHF 1 million.

Old Master Paintings
22. March 2013
The collection of Wolfgang Joop and rediscovered works fresh to the market
A number of works from the collection of the top Berlin fashion designer and art collector Wolfgang Joop will be offered at the forthcoming auction of Old Master paintings. The works consist mostly of 17th century Dutch floral still lifes, including four works by the Antwerp master Nicolas van Veerendael (1626-1691). The works will be offered at auction with estimates of between CHF 30 000 and 50 000. The work with the highest estimate dates, however, from the Renaissance and is by the late 15th century Flemish painter known as the Master of Frankfurt. The work, entitled “Allegory of Love” painted on panel and with colourful detailing, is estimated by Koller at CHF 250 000 to 350 000 (lot 3046). A further highlight of the collection is the depiction of an elegant gathering in the countryside by Jean-Baptiste Pater (1695-1736), who learned his craft at the school of the famous Rococo painter Antoine Watteau (1684-1721) and who counted Frederic the Great as one of his patrons. The painting, entitled “Fête Champêtre”, is estimated at CHF 80 000 to 120 000 (lot 3038). A further important still life of flowers with a stone plaque by Simon Pietersz Verelst (1644-1710) will be offered at auction with an estimate of CHF 60 000 to 80 000 (lot 3041).

Alongside the paintings from the collection of Wolfgang Joop further prominent Old Master paintings will be auctioned at Koller, for example the still life “Woven basket with fruits on a table top with insects” by Isaac Soreau (lot 3034). The painting, examined by Prof. Dr. Gerhard Bott in 2002, was consigned to Koller from a private collection of many years and can now be offered at auction for CHF 240 000 / 280 000. The much-published painting “Noble woman at a table with lute and sheet music” by the Netherlands painter Eglon Henrik van der Neer from 1667 was hitherto known to leading experts only through its documentation. It was rediscovered this year in a Swiss private collection by Koller and estimated at CHF 200 000 / 300 000 (lot 3058). The oil on copper painting by Guido Reni (1575-1642) active in Rome and Bologna, depicting the Assumption of Mary, had remained for over forty years in a private collection. The panel is seen as a significant example of Reni’s early work, which brings together the influences of his teachers with his own style. This work will be auctioned with an estimate of CHF 80 000 / 120 000 (lot 3023).

19th Century Paintings
22. March 2013
Spitzweg’s advice on the carnival
At the auction of 19th century paintings a unique view of Venice by the French artist Felix-François Ziem stands out. A gathering of ladies rest under a tree in the Giardini and contemplate San Giorgio Maggiore. The summery depiction by the landscape and city painter Ziem in oil on panel is estimated at CHF 80 000 / 120 000 (lot 3226). In contrast, a classic winter landscape by the German-Russian painter Ivan Fedorovic Choultse, with its snow-covered fir trees is offered at CHF 70 000 / 120 000 (lot 3225). Furthermore, amongst the highlights are two works by Carl Spitzweg. The small oil on board “Ständchen” shows a young man who sings to his beloved who is standing on balcony accompanied by her friend (lot 3208). This work is offered at CHF 60 000 to 80 000. The painting “Ash Wednesday” shows the personification of the carnival, who after wild celebrations has retired to a dark cell until the next year. The work reminds Spitzweg’s middle class contemporaries not to leave their wild side so tightly fettered and is offered at CHF 30 000 / 40 000 (lot 3207).

Old Master Prints and Drawings
22. March 2013
Well-conserved milestones
From Naples in the second half of the 17th century, executed in brown and green pen and brush, comes a drawing of the Entombment of Christ, over-drawn in red chalk. The work, by an unknown master, has been estimated by Koller at CHF 12 000 to 15 000 (lot 3421). One of the auction highlights is an early hand-coloured copper engraving of the mighty Montanvert glacier by Carl Ludwig Hackert from 1781, one of a series of early views of mountains and glaciers. The well-conserved print is estimated at CHF 2 000 to 2 800 (lot 3613). One of the top lots of the 19th and early 20th centuries is a depiction of a rhinoceros in an exotic landscape in black pen and bright watercolours by Aloys Zöll from 1861, estimated at CHF 6 000 to 9 000. In addition, by Theophile Alexandre Steinlein there is a black chalk and watercolour scene of a mother warming her child in her arms in a cold kitchen. It is offered at CHF 4 000 / 6 000 (lot 3510).

Books and Autographs
23. March 2013
Great variety and outstanding quality
The Books auction with a good 700 lots has an extremely varied range of works to offer. A splendid silver binding from the late 17th century was consigned to Koller from the library of the National Cathedral in Washington. The embossed silver book cover with figural motifs of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Clara of Assisi with ornamental crowned cartouches is reminiscent stylistically of the work of the Augsburg master Johann Thelott (1655-1735). The masterpiece, originally made for a Clarissine convent, is estimated at Koller Auctions at CHF 35 000 to 45 000 (lot 343). In addition the auction house will offer a late 14th century Psalterium from Spain. The handwritten Latin text on vellum was rediscovered by Koller and examined by Prof. Dr. G. Freuler of the University of Zurich. Consequently it is considered the oldest example of work from the important Carthusian monastery of Santa Maria del Paular at Rascafria. Amongst the manuscripts is a letter from Gustav Mahler to his agent Gustav Lewy from 28 February 1883. The composer who was just 23 years old tells of a disappointing discussion of a performance of Méhul’s opera “Joseph in Ägypten”, which he has conducted in his stead. The letter will be offered at CHF 3 000 / 4 000 (lot 132).

Furniture and Decorations
21. March 2013
Museum-quality instruments and a castle inventory
Amongst the highlights at the auction of furniture and decorative art is a Louis XV style grand piano from 1891 with exquisite bronze mounts by Henry Dasson. The piano itself was produced by the firm Erard, which significantly contributed to the development of the modern piano with its “grand modèle avec double déversoir” in 1823 and great musicians such as Joseph Hayden, Ludwig van Beethoven and Frederic Chopin played on instruments by Erard. The grand piano offered with the auction price of CHF 250 000 to 450 000 is signed and numbered and comes from a European private collection (lot 1322). At the same price Koller is offering at auction a bureau cabinet with Boulle marquetry “aux scenes chinoises” from 1700. The bureau cabinet can be attributed to the cabinet maker Henrik van Soest, who was active in Antwerp in the second half of the 17th century. The chinoiserie decorations were drawn from designs by the envoy of the Dutch East India Company Johan Nieuhof (1618-1672). An identical cabinet can be found today at Castle Schleissheim in Munich (lot 1131). Furthermore, a classic chest of drawers “à l’antique” from the Transition period circa 1765/70 with fine intarsia of precious woods and the signature P. Pioniez will be offered by Koller at CHF 80 000 / 120 000 (lot 1164). From the renowned master workshop of Thomas Hache in Grenoble comes a Louis XIV/Régence chest of drawers “à fleurs” with so-called “marqueterie au jasmin”, which will be offered for CHF 100 000 to 150 000. Also of outstanding quality is the Louis XVI-skeleton clock with moon phase, calendar and signature “Ridel à Paris”, made circa 1785/90, which will be auctioned at CHF 70 000 / 120 000 (lot 1224).

Sculptures
21. March 2013
The auction of furniture and decorative arts will be extended with a collection of religious art and sculpture. Included is a fragment of a “figure gisante” (recumbent figure) as it is known, from the 14th century. This consists of two gilt copper hands in a gesture of prayer from Limoges. Consigned from an important collection and supplied with an expertise by Prof. Dr. G. Freuler of the University of Zurich, this piece will be offered with an estimate of between CHF 65 000 and 95 00 (lot 1026). Also from Limoges, but from the early 13th century, is a fine and largely original processional cross, which in form and decoration is typical of the works of the period circa 1225/1230. The cross features in the corresponding Limoges publication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is estimated at CHF 15 000 to 25 000 (lot 1029).

Silver, Objets d’Arts, Porcelain and Faience
18. March 2013
Nuremberg Silver and Meissen Porcelain
The silver auction will have important 17th century pieces from Nuremberg in its selection. This includes for example a silvergilt standing cup in the form of a bunch of grapes (“Traubenpokal”) estimated at between CHF 20 000 and 40 000 with the mark of the Nuremberg master Adam Richter from 1596 (lot 1706). Also from Nuremberg comes a standing cup and cover by the master Michael Müller, which is estimated at CHF 16 000 / 24 000 (lot 1714). Finally, there is an exquisite teapot with réchaud by Fabergé with the mark of Moscow 1899 to 1908, which will be auctioned at CHF 10 000 / 18 000 (lot 1866). At the porcelain auction rare works from the Meissen factory will be offered, such as a teapot with gold decoration and a group of Chinese figures. The “Teekanne mit Goldchinesen”, as it is called, was designed by Bartholomäus Seuter in 1725 and today is expected to fetch a price of between CHF 10 000 and 12 000 (lot 1784). Also amongst the highlights is a rare Meissen figure of a musician from the “Cris de Paris” series circa 1745 offered at CHF 5 000 / 7 000 (lot 1800). A tureen circa 1760 from the “service with the green mosaic border” made for Frederic II of Prussia, will be auctioned at CHF 5 000 / 7000 (lot 1805).

Jewelry and Watches
19. March 2013
A diamond for 1 Million Swiss Francs
The auction of jewelry, gems and wristwatches at Koller, alongside many signed contemporary and antique items of jewellery, has some especially important works in diamonds to offer. The top lot is a loose diamond at 8.11 carats, type IIA. It is offered with an estimate of between CHF 720 000 and 1 million (Lot 2103). A rare and exquisite Art Deco bracelet from 1925 with a Chinese garden scene, in which a pagoda, flowering cherry trees and boats on a canal are depicted, is also one of the highlights. The bracelet which is 3.3 cm wide and 18.6 cm long and made by Lacloche Frères with its original case and certificate, will be auctioned at CHF 150 000 / 200 000 (lot 2153). With a somewhat higher estimate comes a diamond ring of 6.16 carats for CHF 180 000 / 280 000 (lot 2165). A contemporary aquamarine and brilliant diamond ring with octagonal top and set with a very fine octagonal-cut aquamarine from the workshop of Majo Fruithof will be offered at CHF 7 000 / 10 000 (lot 2038). Amongst the watches is an IWC gentleman’s wristwatch “Grande Complication” for CHF 80 000 / 120 0000 (lot 2295).