PRESS RELEASE
3rd major auction week (2nd – 6th October 2006)
On 2 October 2006, delicate treasures made of glass and porcelain produced by Europe's most famous manufactories will provide a glittering start to this year's third major auction week at the Vienna Dorotheum (from 2 – 6 October 2006). Probably the finest item of "white gold" in this selection is a rare pilgrim flask made by Du Paquier and bearing the portraits of his sponsor Emperor Charles VI. and Queen Elisabeth Christina (valuation price 25.000 - 45.000 ). As usual, the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory is responsible for some of the best pieces, such as a box moulded with a gilt bust of August II. the Strong, surrounded by lavish landscape décor (18.000 - 30.000 ), or an unusual lidded tureen in the form of a bundle of asparagus, painted in a naturalistic palette complete with pale-brown string tied into a bow (4.000 - 7.000 ).
An impressive range of fine glass items offers several Lobmeyr glasses and five leaded glass windows. One of these, a Viennese ornamental window of circa 1900, stands out owing to its brilliant colours (11.000 - 20.000 ). Five Kothgasser beakers of remarkable quality, dating to the period between 1820 and 1825, feature various views including the ever popular St Stephen's Cathedral (6.000 - 9.000 ).
On October 3, the Dorotheum continues its packed programme by holding the most extensive sculpture auction to date,
the first part of the event featuring works from a particularly significant German private collection with a special focus on „The Virgin through the Ages 1350 - 1900“.
The collection contains many outstanding objects from the Baroque Period, including an 'immaculate' 18th century Immaculata by the German artist Johann Peter A. Wagner (15.000 - 16.000 ). The earlier Gothic Period has a number of highly interesting works to offer this time, first and foremost among them a Madonna originating in the "Multscher Circle" of circa 1450-60 (30.000 – 33.000 ). The second segment of the auction also features a range of fine sculptures by major masters, such as a Frankish Christophorus of masterly quality (circa 1490, 40.000 – 55.000 ) or a large South German Gothic Madonna and Child, dating to circa 1470/80 and valued at 50.000 to 60.000 Euro. Finally, there will also be numerous excellent examples of Italian sculpture, e.g. a marble tabernacle from the workshop of Antonello Gaggini (circa 1500, 40.000 – 45.000 ), a marble relief of a Madonna and Child (circa 1400, 24.000 – 26.000 ), or a very impressive, life-sized Renaissance Christ Crucified from 15th century Lombardy, (14.000 – 16.000 ).
On the same day, 3 October 2006, the auction of old master drawings and prints up to 1900, watercolours and miniatures will take place. Items of particular interest include a 16th century pen drawing by Jacopo Negretti detto Palma Giovane (Venice 1544 - 1628) showing a „Madonna and Child, flanked by St Hieronymus on the left and St Sebastian on the right“. The 18th century among other things contributes the „Wedding of Alexander and Roxane“, an Italian School pen drawing by Julien de Parme (Cavigliano 1736 – 1799 Paris; 18.000 - 20.000 ).
Eighteenth century Vienna enchants us with a sleeping youth by Jakob Matthias Schmutzer (Vienna 1733 - 1811). This ruddle drawing is considered a prime example of Schmutzer's skill as a portraitist, evident in the looseness of the line and the harmonious rendition of the sleeping youth lying there oblivious to the world (1.600- 1.800 ).
As on previous occasions, the old masters auction on October 4 is highly anticipated. One of the most beautiful as well as important paintings in this selection is by Sebastiano Ricci, considered the foremost Venetian painter of his period. During the Italian EU presidency in 2003, a major old masters exhibition in Brussels displayed his ravishing "Venus with two putti" in such distinguished company as Titian's „Erotic Venus of Urbino“ and Giorgione's „Slumbering Venus“ (price available upon inquiry).
Francesco Guardi's „View of a ruined arch and the Venice Lagoon" provides an excellent example of the work of this artist, highly regarded as a student and follower of Canaletto (190.000 - 250.000 ). Another highlight of the auction is a „Still life of shells and flowers“ by Balthasar van der Ast who after 1620 advanced to become the Netherlands' leading still life painter (150.000 – 200.000 ). Many of the finest paintings reflect an emphasis on Italian art, such as a graceful „Madonna and Child“ by Antiveduto Gramatica (60.000 - 80.000 ), a „Portrait of a noblewoman and her daughter“ by Domenico Tintoretto (28.000 - 35.000 ), or the architectural capriccio by Gian Paolo Panini (20.000 - 30.000 ).
The auction of furniture and decorative art on 5 October offers select furniture and other furnishings from the Renaissance to the 19th century, including such highlights as a superbly carved Baroque table attributed to the wood sculptor Giovanni Giuliani – which represents a find of particular significance since two similar pieces belong to Vienna's Liechtenstein Museum (valuation 16.000 - 20.000 ).
Other objects that will attract special attention include a Venetian Rococo armchair, an excellent piece from the third quarter of the 18th century (16.000 – 20.000 ), a French Louis XV commode with a curving oak wood body ornamented with bronze fittings (50.000 – 60.000 ). A second commode, a highly elegant Empire piece, was made in Vienna around 1800/10. Veneered with mahogany, it rest on slanting half-pillars with conical bases and bronze sleeves (12.000 – 14.000 ). Exceptional and highly decorative a pair of guéridons dating to the 19th century feature gilt decoration and carved angel heads (8.000 – 10.000 ).
The auction week will come to its glittering conclusion with the jewellery auction on 6 October 2006, which promises to cause a veritable diamond fever. Truly 'high-carat' items include an impressive platinum necklace with one brilliant and oval-cut, baguette-cut, and emerald-cut diamonds totalling 52 carat. Its refined and restrained workmanship emphasises the effect of the highly precious stones (valuation price 175.000 – 280.000 ). The precious highlights continue with a platinum bracelet with old-cut brilliants and –diamonds, weighing a total of circa 20 carat, created during the first third of the 20th century and valued at 25.000 to 35.000 Euro.
The "bird of paradise brooch" of platinum and white gold, set with ca 10 carat brilliants, an opal, and a ruby, does justice to the decorative image evoked by its name (13.000 – 20.000 ). Another eye-catcher is a brooch dating to the period around 1900: its central old-cut brilliant of ca. 1,30 carat is surrounded by additional, smaller old-cut brilliants and diamonds arranged into floral ornaments (10.000 – 16.000 ). A pair of gold earrings with old-cut brilliants (ca. 10,50 carat) and two pearls in silver settings is of the same period (8.000 – 13.000 ).
Auction Week: 2 - 6. October 2006
Public Viewing: from 23 September 2006
Venue: PALAIS DOROTHEUM, Wien 1, Dorotheergasse 17
Press Office: Mag. Constanze Werner, Tel. + 43 1/515 60-406
Constanze.werner@dorotheum.at; www.dorotheum.com