AMSTERDAM.- The auction "The Graf von Galen Collection" at Sotheby’s in Amsterdam today, doubled expectations by raising a surprising total of EUR 1,2 million. The fascinating sale of paintings and works of art from Haus Assen, the family estate of the German noble family von Galen, offered a wonderful selection of Old Master Paintings, Prints, Furniture, Works of Art and Decorative Arts, Sculpture, European and Asian Ceramics.
A full saleroom witnessed the auction of historical works of art that had been unseen for generations and were mostly fresh to the market. There was keen bidding by enthusiastic collectors in the saleroom and on the many telephones. The interest in the sale was very international with buyers from Holland, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, England and the USA. The sale was 90% sold by value with many lots selling well above their estimates.
The undoubted highlight of the sale was lot 304, the equestrian portrait of Prince Bishop Christoph Bernard von Galen (1606-1678) called "Bommen Berend", painted by his contemporary Wolfgang Heimbach (c.1600-1678). After a long and intensive battle in the saleroom and via several telephones, a German buyer acquired the portrait for EUR164,700, more than eight times the estimate.
A delicate Fruit still life, with a butterfly, a dragonfly, a snail and a fly, painted in 1665 by the well-known Dutch artist Willem van Aelst (lot 288) comfortably topped its estimate selling for EUR122,000 to the international art trade. A pair of Dutch baroque brass twelve light chandeliers from circa 1700 (lot 378) fetched EUR39,040.
The sale saw many surprises: lot 197, two black paper cut silhouette portraits of members of the Galen family had been expected to raise EUR2,500-3,500 but sold for EUR36,600 to a US collector. Lot 358, a French landscape tapestry, Lille, went to Germany for EUR34,160, four times the estimate. An Italian collector obtained lot 280, four 18th century German School paintings representing the Four Seasons, for EUR17,080, tripled the estimate. For lot 194, a gilt bronze Louis XVI quarter repeating mantel clock, the hammer fell at EUR 23,180, four times the estimate. Lot 89 A pair of famille rose china hat stands, 19th century, estimated at EUR500-700, went to a Dutch collector for EUR4,026.
The section of antique cannons, flint-lock and percussion rifles appeared to be popular, with as top lot 257, five 17th century rifled selling for EUR 12,200, six times the estimate. The various orders also sold far above expectations, lead by lot 187, three Russian orders and a German decoration, estimated at EUR800/1,000, and selling for EUR6,100.
The historic costumes from Haus Assen attracted much interest as well. The Westfalisches Freilichtmuseum Detmold acquired several items, including lot 119, a ceremonial red and black 19th century tailcoat, and lot 117, a German blue velvet and gold embroidered 18th century court coat.
The Stadtmuseum Münster succeeded in adding several new items to their collection, including lot 142, a collection of 18th and 19th century damask napkins and table cloths, lot 215, a collection of various engravings and lot 274, a 19th century statuette of Ferdinand Graf von Galen (1803-1881).
Jan Willem van Haaren, Director Furniture and specialist in charge of the sale, said: "The furniture and works of art from Haus Assen provided a fascinating glimpse of the fashion and tastes of a bygone era, capturing the imagination of buyers and bidders from a range of nations. The distinguished provenance proved to be irresistible; the objects were fresh to the market and usually in original condition. There was considerable competition between bidders in the saleroom and on the telephones to acquire them".
