ZURICH.- Koller Zurich will hold sales of Modern and Contemporary art from 3rd to 6th December 2014. Among Impressionist and Modern works offered in the auction is a rare view of Venice by Pierre-Auguste Renoir estimated at CHF 3 to 4 million. The Post-War and Contemporary sale presents an impressive sculpture by Tony Cragg for CHF 480 000 / 580 000. Leading the sale of Modern and Contemporary Prints is Edvard Munch’s captivating chalk lithograph The brooch. Eva Mudocci. Highlights of Swiss Art include works by Félix Vallotton, Cuno Amiet and Giovanni Giacometti. The undisputed star of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau sale is a unique Tiffany lamp Drophead Dragonfly for CHF 300 000 / 400 000.

Impressionist + Modern Art
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Chaïm Soutine, Paul Klee, Alexander Jawlensky
In the December sale of Impressionist and Modern works Koller Auctions will pre- sent a top-notch selection of artworks from a Swiss private collection which have never before appeared at auction. Certainly one of Impressionism’s most exciting ar- tists is Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, whose previously unknown image of a boy at the beach “Niño en Cuclillas / Playa de Valencia” will be offered with an estimate of CHF 350 000 to 500 000. Highlights of the auction also include a portrait of a young wo- man by Chaïm Soutine from 1929, estimated at CHF 650 000 to 800 000. Created one year earlier, Fernand Léger’s Nature morte will also be presented with a similar estimate.

The top lots also include Alexej Jawlensky’s “Mystischer Kopf” and Hermann Max Pechstein’s expressive oil on canvas “Sonnenkringel” from 1919, with estimates of CHF 300 000 to 420 000. Paul Klee’s work “Mannequin” from 1940 is also likely to provide excitement in the auction. Its counterpart, “In Behandlung”, is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zurich. Classic Modernism’s abstract tendencies are represented by English artist Ben Nicholson’s outstanding work August 1958 (Peru, 3 goblets), which will excite more than just British collectors (CHF 300 00 / 500 000).

This exceptional selection is led by Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s impressive view of Venice titled “Le grand Canal, Venise (Gondole).” From his trip to Italy in 1881 he created only five impressionistic views of the lagoon city. The present work is the only one available on the international market at the moment and is offered by Koller with an estimate of CHF 3 to 4 million. Two other versions are located in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and in the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts.

Swiss Art
From Félix Vallotton to Jean Tinguely
Forming the core of the Swiss Art sale comprising 125 lots are paintings by Félix Val- lotton, such as the 1917 depiction of morning mist on the French community of Les Brumes estimated at CHF 400 000 to 500 000 and a still-life created by the artist shortly before his death in 1925 “Oignons et soupière” estimated at CHF 140 000 to 200 000. Further highlights include Cuno Amiet‘s 1925 oil on canvas “Blick auf die Berner Alpen” at CHF 360 000 to 500 000 and Giovanni Giacometti’s fresh view of his hometown “Borgonovo im Frühling” at CHF 280 000 to 400 000. The still-life “Campanula” (bellflower) from 1943 by his cousin, Augusto Giacometti, is offered for CHF 120 000 to 150 000. Le Corbusier’s pastel-lavé painting “Famille Cocossa” also comes from the same time period. It is presented with an estimate of CHF 80 000 to 100 000. Koller is also pleased to offer one of the “cybernetic” iron sculptures by Jean Tinguely and Eva Aeppli. The nearly two-metre construction titled “Mit dem Kopf an die Wand” is estimated at CHF 80 000 120 000.

PostWar & Contemporary
Tony Cragg, Andy Warhol, Robert Mangold and Sam Francis
Following the successful sale of a Tony Cragg work last year, in December 2013, Koller is pleased to once again present one of these sought-after works. Standing more than two metres high, the 2010 sculpture is offered with an estimate of CHF 480 000 and 580 000. Unlike the usual motif cycles produced by the pop-art icon, Andy Warhol’s “Paphiapedilum” is captivating due to its uniqueness. This work was commissioned by the current owner directly from his friend. Typical of Warhol, he used a specifically- made Polaroid of exactly this orchid as a model for the work. It is estimated at CHF 300 000 and 500 000.

Further highlights include Robert Mangold’s abstract work Red Orange / Grey Zone Painting C from 1998, with an estimate of CHF 120 000 to180000, and Yves Klein’s Eponge bleue, a sponge dyed with blue IKB pigment, with an estimate of CHF 100 000 to 200 000.

Modern + Contemporary Prints
Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter
Koller’s December sale of Modern and Contemporary Prints is characterised by wide variety. Highlights include the important chalk lithograph “The brooch. Eva Mudocci” by Edvard Munch for CHF 130 000 to 180 000, acquired by a Swiss private collection in the 1970s directly from the Munch Museet (Oslo) through a dealer. Pablo Picasso’s etching Paris, 14 juillet 42, estimated at CHF 120 000 to 180 000, is one of the rarest of prints, from a never-signed edition of approx. 9 copies, and offered here in the last, 5th state. A beautiful assortment of Picasso ceramics, including works from the collection of the Rowohlt Verlag, complete the selection of modern works offered in the sale.

Pop Art dominates December’s sale of Contemporary Prints. The sale is led by Roy Lichtenstein’s relief print “Two nudes” from 1994 estimated at CHF 90 000 to 140 000. The selection is further complemented by additional compelling works by Lich- tenstein, Tom Wesselmann and Andy Warhol from Swiss private collections, such as two versions of Warhol’s “Mick Jagger” estimated at CHF 24 000 to 30 000 and CHF 20 000 to 30 000, or “Vesuvius” from 1985 estimated at CHF 20 000 to 30 000. This price category additionally includes two portfolios by Gerhard Richter, “Farbfelder 6 Anordnungen von 1260 Farben” for CHF 26 000 to 32 000 and “Schweizer Alpen II” for CHF 22 000 to 28 000. Richter’s already iconic “Kerze,” estimated at CHF 16 000 to 22 000, is expected to bring additional excitement to the auction.

Art Deco + Art Nouveau
The unique table lamp by Tiffany Studios
The star of the Art Nouveau sale is an important table lamp by Tiffany Studios New York: Drophead Dragonfly, produced c.1910. Its 57-cm-high shade is made of leaded yellow glass decorated with polychrome dragonflies and mother-of-pearl-coloured ca- bochons. The baluster-shaped lamp base – most likely a unique example – is made of iridescent yellow glass decorated with gilt bronze mounts, finely gilt wire ornaments and inlaid plaques. This unique table lamp comes with a certificate from Alastair Dun- can and is presented with an estimate of CHF 300 000 to 400 000.

Further highlights offered by Art Deco include two fine vases by Émile Gallé with estimates of CHF 16 000 to 20 000 and 35 000 to 45 000, as well as an equally fine, 39-cm figure by Georges Omert. This ivory, bronze and marble sculpture depicting Cupid and Psyche is presented with an estimate of CHF 14 000 to 18 000.

Jewellery & Watches
Diamonds and rubies
The jewellery sale is led by a large Burma ruby ring with diamonds from the Jar ate- lier in Paris, estimated at CHF 400 000 to 600 000, and an ensemble of a ring and pendant, also with a Burma ruby and diamonds produced c.1990, estimated at CHF 300 000 to 500 000. Antique jewellery is represented by a brooch with natural pearls and diamonds from c.1880 for CHF 80 000 to 120 000. Another brooch with eme- ralds and diamonds from a Russian atelier is estimated at CHF 40 000 to 60 000. A gentleman’s wristwatch by Girard Perregaux and a lady’s wristwatch with 6.55 carats of diamonds by Harry Winston are each expected to realise between CHF 30 000 and 50 000.

Design
Jaime Hayon, classics and collector’s items
In 2009 the Spanish designer Jaime Hayon (b.1974) was commissioned by the Russian jeweller Fabergé to redesign and furnish their Geneva store, first established in 1917. Each object was designed specifically for this space, not leaving one single detail to chance. Accordingly, Hayon produced a sense of luxurious harmony and sensuality, marked by a simple, yet powerful elegance. Koller presents some of these works in December, including a large mahogany display case (CHF 5 000 / 7 000), a desk including monitor display and synthetic suede leather (CHF 4 000 / 6 000) and an unconventionally-shaped armchair (CHF 3 000 / 5 000).

In addition to this special range, the sale will also present classics such as those by Le Corbusier, Charles & Ray Eames, Fornasetti, Sottsass and Ron Arad.