MUNICH.- This year's Spring Auction at Hermann Historica oHG in Munich will open on 24 April with the usual wide range of high quality precious objects from all eras and originating from all over the world. Until 6 May, over 6,000 collector's pieces, some of them unique, from all specialist areas represented by the auction house will come under the hammer – antiquities, arms and armour, works of art, hunting antiques, orders and collectibles from all fields of history and military history.

Antiquities
Opening at 75,000 euros, one of the highlights of the antiquities catalogue is an expressive marble portrait of Emperor Hadrian (who reigned between 117 - 138 A.D.). Crafted during the early years of his reign, the larger-than-life portrait reveals a slight inclination of the head towards the left, as is characteristic of most busts of Hadrian. Equally typical is the arrangement of the magnificent head of hair, with the wavy locks combed forward onto the forehead, the moustache and the slightly curly beard. The antique marble portrait of the important emperor, spectacular both in terms of its craftsmanship and outstanding condition, is mounted on a cubic marble pedestal, with a total height of 54 centimetres; boasting a documented provenance over many years, it is now being offered for sale. Dating from the second to third century A.D., an extremely unusual Roman vessel worked in bronze is elaborately adorned with figurative decoration over its entire surface. Various species of birds, sea creatures and mythological creatures embellish the high, bellied jug, whose handle features an eye-catching sphinx. The new owner will have to part with 18,000 euros for this exquisite bronze jug of rare design.

Once again, the antiquities section presents several veritable rarities among the early bronze helmets, like the archaic masterpiece in excellent condition, a bronze bossed helmet with several remarkable features, namely an offset rim and two repousséd ridges (double comb), forged with consummate blacksmith's workmanship in the sixth century B.C. Nevertheless, these unusual characteristics indicate the vicinity of the port Ancona in the ancient Italic region of Picenum as the helmet's geographical origin. Bids are invited from 13,000 euros for this uniquely distinctive object, while a Late Chalcidian helmet, dating from the fourth century B.C., is expected to fetch a minimum of 12,000 euros.

A highly unconventional local variant, with a skull composed of two halves, the marvellous condition of the metal and the fine green patina lend the helmet an imposing elegance. Among the very early pieces, an Achaemenid bronze libation bowl from the middle of the first millennium B.C. stands out by virtue of its chased and repousséd lotus petals, and a 15-centimetre line of cuneiform script. Estimated at 5,000 euros, the ancient oriental bijou was presented to the Department of Levantine Languages and Cultures at the University of Heidelberg in the late 1990s; their evaluation indicated that the piece was of Elamite origin. Equally worthy of note is a small series of delightful prehistoric idols; these include an idol carved in marble from the Halaf culture during the fourth millennium B.C. In the shape of a seated woman, her half-rounded arms encircle her breasts. Usually made of clay, this variation in stone represents an absolute rarity, which is reflected in the starting price of 8,000 euros.

Works of art
Once again, among the works of art in the Spring Auction are a number of precious, exquisitely wrought wunderkammer objects. Collectors will be interested to note an engraved, Romanesque bronze dish or Hanseatic bowl, which was produced in Germany during the twelfth century. Based on the assumption, which has since been rebutted, that this group of dishes was primarily disseminated within the sphere of influence of the Hanseatic League, the general term became established in 1905. A mere 250 examples are known to exist, of which eighty percent are underwater or archaeological finds, depicting a wide variety of motifs. Engraved with a continuous border featuring warring knights in full chain mail, each armed with a shield and sword, this rare bowl – an underwater find – will doubtless take pride of place in a new collection for 12,000 euros.

A great deal more recent, yet no less significant, is a beautiful work by one of the most important medallists and art nouveau artists of the early 20th century: a gold sculpture of Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace, made by the supremely skilful Prof. Rudolf Marschall (1873 - 1967). Crafted in 14-carat gold circa 1903 in Vienna and standing almost 13 centimetres tall, the sculpture portrays Eirene in a long dress, holding an olive branch in her hands; the limit is set at 15,000 euros. Also from Austria, circa 1700, a large war chest will certainly impress buyers with the unusual detail of its lavishly chiselled locking mechanism and is to come under the hammer for 6,500 euros.

Arms and Armour
Once again, this spring promises a captivating array of high quality mediaeval and modern edged weapons. Also coming under the hammer is a splendid, rare knightly sword from Italy circa 1430/40, with a broad, double-edged blade and a heavy, flat disc pommel. The example of an unusual, Gothic sword type, with a finger rest on one side, is now open to bids from 12,000 euros. Also up for auction is an imposing two-hand sword from the guard of Julius, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg that belongs to a group of 150 documented examples. Struck with the year 1573 and a smith mark, the processional sword boasts a sturdy, double-edged blade of flattened diamond section, while the ricasso depicts a crown surmounting three balusters. Expected to fetch 15,000 euros, similar weapons may be found in the world's most prestigious private and institutional collections. Superlative chiselled ornamentation, partly underlaid in gold and silver, emphasises the elegant appeal of a formidable French deluxe sword.

While depictions of horsemen on a finely punched gold background adorn the finials of the quillons, the swept hilt is intricately chiselled with elaborate gilding, the heavy ball pommel boasts chiselled décor in relief and cartouches with figures in front of an antique backdrop of ruins. The highly distinguished piece is tendered for sale from 25,000 euros. From the court of the Prince Electors of Saxony, a swept-hilt rapier for the foot company of the trabant lifeguard has a reserve of 18,000 euros. The long, extremely slender thrusting blade is of hexagonal section and features ornamental décor within the slender fuller at the root. Dated 1610, the appeal of the 1.2 metre long rapier lies in its knuckle-bow hilt of several bars, the excellently preserved original bluing and openworked guard plate. The almost identical twin of this weapon is documented in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Lavishly embellished in sheet brass chased with decorative bosses, the 17th century Hussar cuirass from Poland is of heavy construction with a pronounced medial ridge, the lower third sliding on three lames. The extremely rare breastplate was made for a Polish Winged Hussar; the angular flanges of the neck opening and arm holes are struck outwards, a crucial defence in withstanding attacks, while the shoulders and sides are furnished with slits to insert the straps. Bidding starts at 15,000 euros for the remarkable cuirass. Collectors will also be interested in another significant artefact from Polish history, which may be acquired for 20,000 euros: a field sign for marshals or commanders in the form of an oversized mace, dating from the golden age of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The head of the rare military distinction presents six flanges of fire-gilt bronze and a gilt attachment with a Polish eagle cast in relief, while the opposite side shows the Lithuanian knight on horseback, surmounted by a royal crown. Selected pieces of armour, like an aesthetically pleasing German half armour from 1540/50, listed at 6,000 euros, or a circular shield from France or Italy, circa 1600, etched with a continuous border of figures from antiquity and valued at 4,500 euros, round off the lots in this section.

Asia, Orient and Africa
Once again this spring, the quality and diversity of the lots from Africa, the Ottoman Empire, India, Japan and China remain as compelling as ever. Bids are invited from 15,000 euros for an absolute rarity, such as are seldom found on the market, if at all: an Ottoman bunchuk or tug, dating from the 17th/18th century, the period of the Turkish Wars. Tugs of this type, here a wooden shaft covered with a dense woven mesh of dyed horsehair and four baluster-shaped protrusions, with five braided strands of horsehair attached and topped with a tombac ball, were carried as ceremonial insignia. The number of horsehair braids that the dignitary was permitted to display depended on his position in the hierarchy. Where a sultan was permitted to carry six braids, or up to nine in case of war, a grand vizier was granted five and a vizier three. The protection and embellishment of human combatants was evidently not the armourer's only priority, as demonstrated by a rare chamfron from the first half of the 16th century. Originating in East Anatolia or Iran, the front and side panels are entirely covered in engravings; the chamfron was forged in several pieces and bears the chiselled mark (tamga) of the St. Irene arsenal in Constantinople. This exceptionally beautiful piece of armour may be acquired for 15,000 euros.

The demand for elaborately crafted edged weapons from the Ottoman Empire and India remains unabated. An exquisite, silver-mounted Ottoman shamshir, circa 1780, made with the highest quality workmanship, the quillons and grip straps of gilt silver, the quillons with fine floral decoration in relief, and elegant dark horn grips, is to come under the hammer for 12,000 euros. No less appealing is a silver-mounted and gilt kilij, which was wrought in Greece at the end of the 18th century. The blade of the magnificent sabre has a gold damascened portrayal of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus on the obverse and a long Greek inscription along the back. The silver gilt quillons, engraved with flowers, and the riveted walrus horn grips with the gilt strap add the finishing touches to the exclusive kilij, which is estimated at 17,500 euros. Manufactured in 1850, the delicate hues of a pair of large Chinese cloisonné vases in Mei Ping form are sure to be well received. Richly decorated with peonies in blue, yellow, white, green, red and pink on a turquoise background, the 64 centimetre tall, bellied vases are open to bids from 18,000 euros.

Military history and historical objects
Significant collectors' items from the courts of European and international ruling houses are being offered for auction once again, including numerous pieces from the private collection of Prince Joseph Clemens of Bavaria (1902 - 1990). One of the highlights is a presentation snuffbox, beautifully wrought in gold, belonging to Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico (1832 - 1867). Set in diamonds and mounted in high relief on the lid, the monogram "N" above the intertwined monogram "E", above which, the imperial crown with flowing ribbons are a clear indication that the gift was presented by Emperor Napoleon III (1808 - 1873) and his wife, Empress Eugénie (1826 - 1920). A veritable piece of history, crafted by the Paris jeweller and purveyor to the court, Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier (1808 - 1884), this exquisite bijou has a reserve of 15,000 euros. Of the same provenance – and no less exclusive – is his personal travel writing set, consisting of pen holder, letter opener and seal. Made of tortoise shell and trimmed with silver-gilt scrollwork, the finials decorated with acanthus ornaments in relief, the seal surface is incised with the imperial crowned monogram "MIM" for Maximilian Imperator Mexiko; this unique ensemble is expected to fetch 8,000 euros.

Buyers will be captivated by the superb workmanship of the gold hunter pocket watch, which was presented by Empress Eugénie to her friend, Empress Charlotte of Mexico (1840 - 1927). A minimum bid of 5,000 euros will secure the pocket watch, enamelled in blue with Roman numerals on a white enamel dial, an oval shield depicting the appliquéd, gold, crowned eagle of Napoleon III in relief on the back. Bidding starts at 5,000 euros for another treasure from Empress Charlotte's personal jewel case: a seal in the shape of an eagle's claw, holding a globe between its talons. Furthermore, a bronze seal owned by Kaiser Franz Josef I of Austria, fashioned as a majestic angel bearing a cross in his hands, with the Hungarian royal coat of arms on the seal surface, will doubtless grace a new collection for 4,000 euros. Next up is a seal handle used by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, chiselled in agate in the shape of an obelisk and inlaid with a silver heron, for which bids are invited from 5,000 euros. Bringing up the rear in the procession of imperial seals, as diverse as they are unparalleled, is that belonging to Frederick III, the German Emperor. Polished from a mighty semi-precious stone, with a crowned imperial coat of arms supported by two 'wild men' and in a cover, the seal is listed at 3,000 euros.

A beguiling lot from the US is the significant deluxe cavalry sword that was presented to General George S. Patton jr. (1885 - 1945), the commander of the Third Army at the Invasion of Normandy, on the occasion of his promotion to four-star general on 14 April 1945. The Model 1913 cavalry sword, referred to as the 'Patton Saber', with its double-edged, nickel-plated and fullered blade, was designed by the passionate sportsman and Olympian himself, who travelled throughout Europe to meet the best swordsmen of his time. Offered for auction for 12,500 euros, the deluxe model boasts a gilt inscription of the owner's name on both sides, flanked by four general’s stars and framed by a chequered border, a solid silver hilt and ivory grips.

Choice objects from French military history are also certain to attract attention, including a fine gala livery for a high official and chamberlain of the House of Bourbon, with extremely elaborate, gilt thread embroidery on black cloth; opening at 3,500 euros, it would grace the most prestigious collection on account of its elegant appearance. The parade of exceptional lots continues with a particularly rare and imposing helmet M 1814/15 of the Chevau-Légers de la Garde Royale, a guard that was disbanded approximately 18 months after its founding, valued at 5,000 euros, and a magnificent sabre for officers of the General Staff of the Premiere Empire, with trophies and tendrils etched into the gilt blade, for which offers of at least 4,000 euros are welcome.

The auction also comprises a number of rare artefacts from Russian military history, like a model 1909 Russian shashka for officers with appliquéd Order of St. George and Order of St. Anna, known as a double award, which is estimated at 25,000 euros by virtue of its exceptional rarity. Both sides of the blade are etched with a depiction of a horseman and a crowned eagle, the brass knuckle-bow hilt is decorated with laurels, while the pommel bears an appliquéd enamelled miniature of the Order of St. Anna and Order of St. George; the inscription "For Valour" in Cyrillic script on the quillons reveals the reason for the award. Meanwhile, equally superb and distinctive, a percussion shotgun for Cossacks with the manufacturer’s mark "Tanner&Cie 1857" and a walnut stock, made in Liège and Russia in 1857, has a limit of 7,000 euros. Or an Russian officer’s flintlock pistol from Tula, dated 1788; the flintlock embellished with lightly cut rocaille ornaments and fire-gilt and chiselled brass furniture, the weapon requires a minimum bid of 5,000 euros.

Orders and Insignia
Once again, it is our great pleasure to present at the Spring Auction an exclusive variety of orders and insignia, some of which are unique and may be regarded as museum quality. Moreover, the approximately 320 lots in this section include complete orders estates and groups with a number of unparalleled pieces. A veritable phaleristic sensation – an extensive collection originating from a noble house, namely the estate of Prince Alfons of Bavaria (1862 - 1933) and his son, Prince Joseph Clemens – is being put up for auction. Among them are such rarities as the Grand Cross orders set with swords of the Bavarian Military Order of Merit, awarded in 1915 and finely worked in gold and enamel by the Hemmerle brothers of Munich, here offered for sale for the first time as a complete military set for 15,000 euros.

No less rare, because only very few diamond decorations are documented in private ownership, is an Order of the Golden Fleece with Diamonds, Spanish lineage of the same provenance, which is expected to fetch 8,000 euros. Bids are invited from 40,000 euros for a breast star of the Order of St. George with the blue enamel ribbon of the Order of the Garter, circa 1860, from the personal possessions of the last king of Hanover, King George V (1819 - 1878). A double decoration that would grace any museum collection and is indubitably of historical significance for the British royal family. Stealing the show in the orders section are a number of outstanding decorations from the Soviet Union, like a rare, partially enamelled Order of Suvorov Second Class in Gold and Silver, as awarded since 1943, with a minimum bid of 9,500 euros or the Gold Star Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union and Order of Lenin, with an asking price of 8,500 euros, which was awarded to Technical-intendant 2nd rank and Commander Alexey Andreevich Schestakov (1914 - 1997) in 1945 for bravery and heroism.

Fine antique and modern firearms
Buyers will also be interested in the antique firearms on sale. The pistol cases in the Spring Auction boast a sensational rarity and quality that are otherwise difficult to obtain on the market. Among the pièces de résistance is a pair of gold-inlaid deluxe percussion pistols by A. De Lezaack of Liège, which were manufactured circa 1860. The ornamental gold inlays on a chased background on the locks and furniture, the ebony stocks carved with tendrils and the iron furniture with gold inlays accentuate the significance of these superb examples of the gun maker's craft; the pistols may be acquired for 28,000 euros. For exactly the same price, collectors may also snap up a pair of deluxe cased percussion pistols for two shots from Anton Vinzent Lebeda's renowned workshop in Prague.

Just as elaborately wrought, these spectacular, probably untouched cased pistols are bound to be well received with their delicate iron chiselling and gold inlays. Meanwhile, a splendid pair of Scottish all-metal pistols by T. Murdoch in Leith and Doune, made circa 1780, is certain to coax an enthusiast into parting with 9,600 euros. The array of guns will delight buyers, including a chiselled wheellock rifle by Joseph Kuchenreuter, adorned with hunting motifs and manufactured circa 1730 in Regensburg, open to bids from 7,200 euros, and a 1610 matchlock musket from Suhl for 6,000 euros, which is lavishly embellished with bone inlays, some engraved and blackened.