P R E S S R E L E A S E

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "P R E S S R E L E A S E"

Brendan Freeman
6 years ago
Views:

P R E S S R E L E A S E November Auction of Hermann Historica ohg High-quality medieval armour parts, masterpieces of craftsmanship from all over the world, mementos of European ruling houses and

1 P R E S S R E L E A S E November Auction of Hermann Historica ohg High-quality medieval armour parts, masterpieces of craftsmanship from all over the world, mementos of European ruling houses and exquisite antique firearms dominated the 69th auction of the specialised auction house. Munich, More than 5,000 lots from all specialist areas represented by the auction house antiquities, arms and armour, works of art, hunting antiques, orders and collectibles from all fields of history and military history came under the hammer in the 69th auction of Hermann Historica ohg in Munich. Antiquities For many years, the demand among international collectors for masterpieces created by the skilful hands of the period armourers and blacksmiths has remained unabated. No wonder, then, that the unique and beautifully crafted edged weapons and helmets on offer in the antiquities section of this auction, their provenance in prestigious collections fully documented over many years in some cases, did not disappoint. The early bronze helmets included a veritable rarity, namely an Illyrian helmet in impeccable condition, dating from the late seventh to the middle of the sixth century B.C. Forged in one single piece, the skull was of distinct design with two parallel hammered ridges and the typically clean lines of the face opening, which was framed by a border of rivets. Attesting to its

2 combat worthiness, an antique repair on the left cheek was evidence that the attractive helmet actually served its purpose. This impressive object sold for 9,500 euros, 2,500 euros above its estimated price. Equally fine was a pair of bronze cheek-pieces from a Phrygian helmet, featuring a stylised beard composed of two rows of curls and a distinctively curved moustache. Dating from the fourth to the early third century B.C and in an outstanding state of preservation, the side guards from a Hellenistic helmet changed hands for their starting price of 6,000 euros. Furthermore, a Celtic iron sword from the same period, complete with scabbard and sword belt, was offered for auction from 4,000 euros. The unusual set with its excellently preserved iron substance fetched 4,200 euros. A Roman spatha blade of the Lauriacum-Hromówka type, forged in iron during the third century, found a new owner for its limit of 3,000 euros. Works of art According to tradition, the arms and armour catalogue opens with works of art, a field of collecting interest that, once again in this November auction, held a number of precious wunderkammer objects in store. The pièce de résistance in this section was the challenge trophy for the German Chess Championship, unrivalled in its magnificence, which found a bidder for its starting price of 35,000 euros. Produced in the renowned silversmith's workshop, J. C. Klinkosch AG, which was regarded as one of Vienna's finest addresses, the composition of the trophy alone left no doubt as to its purpose. The imposing tower, standing some forty centimetres tall, was crafted with the highest quality workmanship in ivory and partially fire-gilt silver to represent a chess piece, the rook. The entire surface of the octagonal panels was inlaid with finely grained ivory plaques and edged with a silver-mounted decorative frieze set with black and white stones, while all figures from the game of kings were sculptured in solid silver. Two recesses on the front and back revealed the king and queen in silver, bearing their gilt insignia of power. The base plate, likewise in silver, was borne aloft by eight kneeling pawns; the rook itself was crowned with a group of chessmen, comprised of bishops and knights, on a removable platform with crenellations around the edge. Considerably older but no less exquisitely wrought was a signed, lavishly gilded and engraved miniature casket, which was made circa 1600 by Michel Mann of Nuremberg. With its captivating and gorgeous contemporary décor, this dainty bijou, measuring a mere 4 x 7.5 x 5 cm, was acquired for its estimate of 5,000 euros and now takes pride of place in a new collection.

3 Arms and armour Even during the run-up to the auction, the outstanding selection of rare and perfectly preserved 16th century shields had attracted a great deal of interest among prospective buyers. The final prices certainly did not fall short of expectations. It is extremely rare for shields made of perishable materials like wood, leather and linen to survive the passage of time unscathed; thus, the gratifying state of preservation of lot number 3043 was all the more highly appreciated. Among the lots up for auction, and estimated at 12,000 euros, was a South German or Austrian hand shield, dated 1522, of documented provenance in the inventory of the Arms Collection at Sighartstein Castle, near Salzburg. The slightly curved shield of spruce wood had a coarse linen cover on the entire outer surface over a layer of animal sinews fixed with glue; a cross with a sun burst was elaborately painted in colour on the front, while the back still retained the original, riveted shield grip. The hammer finally fell at 20,000 euros for the museum-quality piece. In truly wonderful condition was a leathercovered, wooden circular parade shield, made in Venice for the trabant guard serving under Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, Prince Bishop of Salzburg from The central cartouche was intricately painted with a coat of arms in elegant hues, surrounded by opulent arabesques and floral decoration. The shield sold for its limit of 25,000 euros, likewise the much weightier iron parade shield from Dresden, which achieved its own estimate of 12,000 euros. The shield was embellished with a continuous border of decorative bands in gilt brass with embossed, chased floral decoration and 16 sculpted lion's heads; with its heavy, bullet-proof quality and a quadrangular spike screwed in the centre, its considerable weight of 7.56 kilos must certainly have posed a challenge in combat. A cuirassier's armour from Nuremberg, circa 1600/1620, unleashed an immediate flurry of bids, culminating in the sensational sum of 31,000 euros almost five times its opening price of 6,500 euros. Composed of a close helmet with a pivoted visor, bevor, neck guard, a bullet-proof breastplate and backplate, together with pauldrons sliding on lames, long gauntlets and tassets, the suit of armour featured ornamental roped flanges and numerous Nuremberg inspection marks. Equally worthy of note were a beautifully made Gothic breastplate with threefold fluting and a distinct central ridge, forged circa 1480/90 in Milan, valued at 9,600 euros yet selling for 15,000 euros, an exquisite etched cuirass bearing the Medici coat of arms, Pisa 1590, which changed hands for its listed price of 10,000 euros, and a late-gothic chamfron from Germany, forged in several pieces at the turn of the sixteenth century, with finely roped and turned flanges, an eye-catching ridged rosette and an integrated iron socket for a plume, which found a new owner for its reserve of 15,000 euros.

4 Asia, Orient and Africa Once again this autumn, the quality and diversity of the lots from Africa, the Ottoman Empire, India, Japan and China were outstanding. One particular highlight, a, spectacular, exceptionally high quality Persian set of armour comprising helmet, shield and arm guard, which was manufactured in the early 19th century, attested to the outstanding craftsmanship of the oriental armourers. Decorated en suite with gold-inlaid ornaments, silver inlays in places and superlative chiselling work, one collector was so taken with the ensemble that he snapped it up for its estimate of 25,000 euros. The winning bid of 22,000 euros secured a superbly wrought Ottoman/Hungarian hetman's mace from the first half of the 17th century. Similar to a marshal's baton, this field sign was used by an army commander and was entirely covered in sheet silver; the head of ten fire-gilt flanges was finely engraved with floral decoration, whereas the haft was chased with intricate arabesques. A magnificent diamond-studded, gold-mounted edged weapon from Sumatra made an excellent impression on the international collectors a splendidly crafted, late 18th-century pedang. Elaborately carved with floral decoration, the princely weapon boasted a gold mounting and fittings and was lavishly set with no less than 96 chalcedony cabochons and 14 trilliant-cut diamonds. The formidable piece was able to command its price; almost doubling its estimate of 4,800 euros, the sale was only completed at 9,000 euros. Awe-inspiring objects from China included jade carvings like an elegantly carved bowl from the Qing dynasty with its graceful lotus decoration, which gave rise to spirited bidding and a final price of 9,500 euros many times its reserve of 1,200 euros and Buddha figures, like a bronze Buddha from the Ming dynasty, seated in dignified serenity on a lotus throne, who fetched 12,500 euros, his limit of 8,000 euros notwithstanding. Military history and historical objects Once again this autumn, an array of significant collectors' items from the courts of Europe's ruling houses were offered for auction. Collectors were able to purchase two uniforms from the personal wardrobe of Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria ( ), namely a field-grey litewka with matching trousers as Prussian general field marshal, and a fur-trimmed attila with matching parade trousers as proprietor of the 16th Hussar Regiment Kaiser Franz Joseph of Austria, King of Hungary (Schleswig-Holstein). With both uniforms

5 opening at 8,000 euros apiece, the litewka went on to fetch its starting price. The attila, however, lavishly worked in fine cornflowerblue cloth with its lacing of silver chained cording, turned silver toggles and buttons, sparked a thrilling bidding duel where the hammer finally fell at 40,000 euros. Equally keen was the interest in an object from the personal property of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. ( ). The special appeal of the drinking game in the shape of the Bavarian lion lay in its fine silversmith work; the symbol of Bavaria was represented with its body erect and its forepaw resting on a shield elaborately engraved with the king's cipher. Weighing 260 grams and forged circa 1880, this magnificent object was modelled on the "Gerber Löwe" made by the goldsmith Georg Lotter of Augsburg; it now takes pride of place in the King Ludwig II collection of an American buyer, whose winning bid of 19,500 euros dwarfed its starting price of 3,500 euros. Likewise of noble provenance was the tombac cuirass in officer's issue of the Guard Cuirassier Regiment Berlin, circa None less than the son of the Spanish king himself, Vittorio Emanuele Count of Turin ( ), was the high-born owner of this perfectly preserved breastplate, which although valued at 4,000 euros, found a buyer for 6,400 euros. Moreover, the military history and historical objects section was a veritable treasure trove of graphic contemporary documents pertaining to World War I. For example, the personal photograph album belonging to the highly decorated military pilot Ernst Udet ( ) accorded a profound insight into the life of a fighter pilot during the war. Taken during the early autumn of 1915, the approximately 160 photographs showed his comrades, some standing next to their planes, as well as various scenes of war. Although valued at 6,500 euros on account of its documented provenance, this impressive photographic record will now grace a new collection for 8,500 euros. Another fascinating document was the certificate of appointment issued by Kaiser Wilhelm II ( ) to the experienced field commander Prince Leopold of Bavaria ( ) as Supreme Commander of the Eastern Front as of 29 August 1916, which changed hands for its estimate of 1,000 euros. A presentation silver cigar box that originally belonged to the legendary fighter pilot Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen ( ) was also offered for auction, with a depiction of two fighting eagles stamped in the lid and an inscription on the base commemorating his 50th victory in aerial combat. The memento was presented to the pilot in 1917 by Chief of Field Air Service Oberstleutnant Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen ( ) and sold for 14,000 euros, its starting price of 12,000 euros notwithstanding.

6 Certain famous names and unparalleled historical artefacts from their workshops succeeded in delighting buyers interested in Russian military objects. An imposing, magnificent M 1881/1909 shashka with a gilt and blued blade, which was forged in Zlatoust for officers of the Russian dragoons, was estimated at 15,000 euros yet subsequently fetched a gratifying 19,000 euros. Moreover, bidding started from 10,000 euros for a sabre of superior quality, dated 1882, which had been documented for the Evgeny Mollo collection. Forged in Tula, the blade was embellished on both sides with exquisite etchings of floral cartouches and military scenes; it still retained remnants of the gilding, while the obverse bore the tsarist cipher "A III". It was not until bids reached 14,500 euros that the hammer finally fell. Orders and insignia Selected lots from the Russian tsarist empire and the Soviet Union also dominated the demand in the orders and insignia section. For example, a Russian Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd Class, dated 1859, found a buyer for 13,500 euros. Crafted in gold and enamel, the eyelet of the rare decoration was stamped with the maker's mark "CS" in reference to the workshop of Karl Selenius, the St. Petersburg goldsmith. From the estate of the Winner of the Knight's Cross Alfred Feldmann, an Order of Lenin, type 4 in gold, which was seized in June 1942 during the battle of the Volkhov, ultimately achieved the remarkable sum of 13,000 euros, despite having been valued at 3,500 euros. Of German provenance, the Prussian House Order of Hohenzollern was particularly sought after, in this case in the form of a rare, original Grand Commander's chain. The 16 links of the orders chain were exquisitely wrought in silver, gold and enamel, featuring the Nuremberg coat of arms, the Zollern coat of arms and the arch-chamberlain's sceptre. Bids were invited from 7,800 euros for the splendid phaleristic badge, which was acquired for 8,500 euros. Fine antique and modern firearms Once again, the fine antique and modern firearms section reported extremely encouraging results. A very early masterpiece, an imposing double-barrel wheellock puffer dated 1598, probably from Saxony, bore testimony to the fine art of gunmaking. Entirely covered in bone inlays, the whole weapon was embellished with lively hunting motifs and mythical creatures. The exceptionally decorative and highly interesting piece changed hands for its reserve price of 35,000 euros. Another object of outstanding quality in beautiful, largely untouched condition, which was forged between 1802 and 1809 by Jean Lepage ( ), the most renowned gunmaker of his

7 time, whetted buyers' appetites with its finely carved wooden stock, its cut and engraved iron furniture and the rich gold décor on both barrels. Jean Lepage was undoubtedly the most significant member of this gunsmith dynasty and, with his artistic skills, he laid the foundation for the Lepage family's long-standing fame. Despite being modestly valued at 7,500 euros, the auction of the flintlock pistol began at 12,500 euros as a result of pre-sale bidding; even so, this was eclipsed by the sensational final price, with the hammer ultimately falling at 33,000 euros. Opening at 12,000 euros, a very attractive deluxe bone-inlaid wheellock rifle from Teschen, circa 1680, profusely decorated with engraved and blackened stag horn and mother-of-pearl inlays, went on to fetch 20,000 euros. Furthermore, exceptionally rare examples of modern arms were also available, with one great rarity, a Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr ("VG 1-5") self-loader, standing out in particular. With a limit of 8,500 euros, the 8 x 33 calibre weapon was in excellent overall condition; nevertheless, the price quickly jumped to 19,500 euros with very few bid steps. Equally fascinating was a much sought-after Borchardt C 93. The rare self-loading pistol, one of a series of only 3,000 manufactured by Loewe, came complete with its matching walnut shoulder stock and carrying case. Produced in Germany, the calibre 7.65 mm firearm was offered for sale from 12,000 euros; the subsequent winning bid was 13,500 euros. Finally, a Mauser C 96 "Early Transitional Large Ring Hammer", in 7.63 mm calibre with the matching case, in outstanding overall condition, sold for 12,600 euros, more than doubling its starting price of 6,000 euros. All prices are net prices and are to be understood plus 23 percent surcharge. Media Contact: Copies permitted please send proof to: Further information and high-definition picture material: Maria Burdick Kommunikation und Marketing Elvirastraße 16 D München Tel.: +49 (0) m.burdick@burdick.de

About Hermann Historica Hermann Historica ohg, Munich, is one of the world's leading auction houses in the special areas: antique arms and armours, hunting collectibles, antiquities, orders as well

Founded as early as almost 50 years ago by Count Erich Klenau von Klenova, Baron von Janowitz in Nuremberg as an auction house for coins, from the very beginning also orders and decorations as well

The wide range was soon accepted by international collectors and museums.

Particularly sensational are the numerous objects from the possessions of noble houses, notably those of the German and Austrian imperial family, which continue to attract international attention,

Arms and Armour and the Collection of Antique Greek and Roman Arms of Axel Guttmann, the liquidation of the Nümbrecht Museum of Historical Technology, the worldwide biggest auctions of "Children s

8 About Hermann Historica Hermann Historica ohg, Munich, is one of the world's leading auction houses in the special areas: antique arms and armours, hunting collectibles, antiquities, orders as well as objects from history and military history. Founded as early as almost 50 years ago by Count Erich Klenau von Klenova, Baron von Janowitz in Nuremberg as an auction house for coins, from the very beginning also orders and decorations as well as objects of military history were put up to auction. In the early seventies the range of the auctions was broadened by the category of antique arms and armour. The wide range was soon accepted by international collectors and museums. In 1982 the present owners renamed the auction house Hermann Historica ohg, and at least two auctions are conducted annually which address more than 40,000 clients worldwide. Particularly sensational are the numerous objects from the possessions of noble houses, notably those of the German and Austrian imperial family, which continue to attract international attention, the auctions dispersing complete collections such as the sale of the hunting treasures of Castle Fuschl in Salzburg, as well as the much-noticed sale of the unique collection Karsten Klingbeil of Arms and Armour and the Collection of Antique Greek and Roman Arms of Axel Guttmann, the liquidation of the Nümbrecht Museum of Historical Technology, the worldwide biggest auctions of "Children s Dreams on Wheels", the pedal cars of the Centre of Extraordinary Museums in Munich. All pictures: Copyright Hermann Historica ohg 2014 An Ottoman/Hungarian hetman's mace (bushikan), 1st half of the 17th century. HP: 22,000 Euros Magnificent challenge trophy German Chess Championship. HP: 35,000 Euros An Illyrian helmet of middle form (type II), late 7th mid-6th century B.C. HP: 9,500 Euros A breastplate of a Gothic armour, Milan, circa 1480/90. HP: 15,000 Euros Venetian Raitenau paradeshield (l) + Hand-shield, dated 1522 (r). HP: 25,000/20,000 Euros A cuirassier's armour, Nuremberg, circa 1600/1620. HP: 31,000 Euros

A very rare German late- Gothic chamfron, circa

HP: 15,000 Euros Persian gold-inlaid and cut

HP: 6,400 Euros A gold and enamel Russian Order

HP: 13,500 Euros Emperor Franz Joseph I of

personal drinking game in form of the Bavarian

9 A very rare German late- Gothic chamfron, circa 1500/10. HP: 15,000 Euros Persian gold-inlaid and cut set with helmet, shield, arm guard, early 19th century. HP: 25,000 Euros Vittorio Emanuele Count of Turin - cuirass of the Guard Cuirassier Regiment Berlin. HP: 6,400 Euros A gold and enamel Russian Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd Class, dated HP: 13,500 Euros Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria - field-grey litewka (l) + fur attila parade trous. (r). HP: 8,000/40,000 Euros King Ludwig II - his personal drinking game in form of the Bavarian lion. HP: 19,500 Euros An important German double-barrel wheellock puffer, probably Saxony, dated HP: 35,000 Euros An over-and-under flintlock pistol, Jean Lepage, after 1802 and before 1809 HP: 33,000 Euros

10 A very rare Borchardt C 93, Loewe, with shoulder stock and holster in very good overall condition. HP: 13,500 Euros A Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr ("VG 1-5"), selfloader Cal. 8 x 33, no. Th on left side of butt. HP: 19,500 Euros HP = Hammer Price

CATALOGUE I 2018 HISTORISCHE WAFFEN OVER 40 YEARS

CATALOGUE I 2018 HISTORISCHE WAFFEN OVER 40 YEARS OVER 40 YEARS THE LARGEST DEALER IN HISTORICAL ARMS HIGH QUALITY OBJECTS EXPERTISE & COMPETENCE THE ADDRESS FOR COLLECTORS AND MUSEUMS HISTORISCHE WAFFEN JÜRGEN H. FRICKER Publicly appointed and sworn