AMSTERDAM.- An international crowd showed great interest during the sale An Important Private Collection from Hanover that was held in Amsterdam on 27, 28 and 29 March 2007. Over 2.000 lots, consisting of paintings, furniture, jewellery, ceramics, silver, coins, clocks and works of art, were auctioned in no less than nine sessions divided over three days. Because of its sheer magnitude and variety, the collection was rather difficult to be characterized, the only certain denominator being the focus on quality, artistry, delicacy and fine workmanship. The collection was housed in an apartment of only 150m�. Trivial calculation learns this to be €53.333 per m�. The exact result of the sale was €7.948.749.

Paintings - On the first day surprising results were achieved for Old Master and 19th century paintings. A miniature gouache on ivory by the Swedish artist C.C.G. Klingstedt (1657-1734) was purchased for €48.000, a world auction record for the artist (estimate €3.000-5.000) by the Qvists Foundation for the National Museum Stockholm. Another world auction record for the artist was for a winter scene by Hendrick de Meijer (circa 1620-1698) that fetched €72.000 (est. 20.000-30.000). A view of the Piazza San Marco by Friedrich Nerly (1807-1878) sold for €264.000 (est. €60.000-80.000). Spectacular was the outcome of the bidding over Adam naming the animals by Carl Borrom�us Andreas Ruthart (1630-after 1703). While estimated €80.000-120.000 this absolute highlight of the complete sale established a world auction record for the artist with a stunning €659.200.

Furniture and works of art - An impressive lot in the furniture section, an important German Rococo marquetry commode, went to a new owner for €354.000, more than ten times the estimate. In the afternoon session of day 2, a delicate and important fruitwood “bonzanigo” portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte by Maurice Blanc, circa 1803, was purchased by an Italian private collector for €108.000 (est. €12.000-18.000). During the evening session a lot of interest was drawn by a Faberg� silver-gilt made in St Petersburg between 1899 and 1908. A Russian collector won the fierce bidding and became the new owner for €228.000 (est. €20.000-30.000).

Silver and jewellery - Thursday 29 march, the last day of the sale started with Silver in session 7. Several cups-and-cover were very much in demand. A large German silver-gilt pineapple cup and cover, maker's mark a dog, 17th century was estimated at €2.000-3.000 and went to a German collector for €24.000. Others fetched similar prices. An impressive €86.400, tenfold of the estimate, was paid for A German silver and silver-gilt beaker and cover, maker’s mark ICG, probably Dessau. The highest price in this session was achieved by a large German silver-gilt mounted ivory tankard by Johann Philipp Stenglin I, Augsburg, circa 1670, that was purchased for €108.000 (est. €25.000-40.000.

The jewellery was scheduled in the last two sessions. In general they doubled their estimates. Apart from stunning tiaras, rings and necklaces a large amount of loose stones were sold. A diamond solitaire ring weighing 9.7 carats was purchased for €60.000 (est. €20.000-25.000) and a diamond tiara went for €43.000 (est. €5.000-8.000). Highlight in these sessions was a ruby, diamond and natural pearl brooch. Estimated at €32.000-35.000 this last lot of the whole auction fetched €132.000.

Managing Director drs Mark Grol commented: ‘It was a truly memorable sale with a record result for Sotheby’s Amsterdam that attracted many new international clients. Over 1.000 registered bidders from all over the world were attracted to the Amsterdam sale rooms. We have proven to turn the sale of an international important private collection into a tremendous success. It goes without saying that we are delighted with this achievement.’