MUNICH.- This September, with its castle auction in Greding, Hermann Historica presented an extra highlight that took Munich's autumn of art to a new level and added a new auction format to its portfolio. A format that managing director Dr. Bernhard Pacher lauded as a "High-end, triple A format for antique arms and armour, antiques and art" and which proved to be a resounding success at the very first event.

Once again, as part of this year's Autumn Auction, which is divided into two thematic blocks, beginning on 22 October and ending on 4 November, a wide selection of exceptional artefacts from antiquity, works of art and craftsmanship are being offered for auction on 2 November 2020. This segment alone comprises 712 lots, all of which may be acquired by interested buyers at the auction house's headquarters in Grasbrunn, near Munich.

With its undeniably stately appearance, one of the premium objects, a solid silver table centrepiece with almandine cabochons, made in Germany circa 1900, would be a fitting adornment for any banquet. Created in the Hanau workshop of Jean L. Schlingloff, a dolphin rises up from the centre of a large, lavishly embellished basin, this standing on dolphin-shaped feet, its tail fin holding aloft a gigantic, fanciful vessel. This imposing piece extends to a total height of 80 centimetres. The splendour of this exquisite, ostentatious tableware will entice the new owner to part with a minimum of 24,000 euros.




By contrast, an Italian Old Master is expected to fetch 20,000 euros. The striking representation of the Queen of Sheba is attributed on the frame to Luca Giordano, known as Fa Presto, born in 1634 in Naples, where he also died in 1705, who was otherwise celebrated for his frescoes. The Queen of Sheba sits enthroned in the centre, surrounded by numerous ladies-in-waiting, putti, a horse and Mars. The background, with its vast landscape setting and antique-style ruins, rounds off the overall composition of this wonderful specimen of baroque painting.

Likewise dating from the 17th century, from the extremely prosperous city of Antwerp, comes a particularly stunning, large baroque cabinet with fine marquetry embellishment. Made of veneered oak and adorned with gilt bronze fittings, both the doors and inner drawers are inlaid with delicate, geometric marquetry décor in ivory, Makassar ebony, rosewood, ebony and fruitwood, harmoniously finished with grip knobs made of turned ivory. Exceedingly decorative with plenty of space for small treasures, the cabinet is open to offers from 12,000 euros in the ornate furniture section

Of significantly earlier date and from a different region, the sculpture of a female deity in Angkor Vat style from Khmer has been hewn in dark grey stone. Holding a lotus blossom in its left hand and with a sampat finely draped around the hips in folds, the naked female torso stands upright with a graceful air. A minimum bid of 12,000 euros will secure this figure, which most likely represents the mother goddess Uma, wife of the supreme god Shiva, from the 11th century.

Antique jewellery has long been enormously popular, such as the Slavic silver work for which bids are invited from 23,000 euros. Composed of numerous delicate links, the beautiful silver necklace from Russia is crafted in the finest filigree and granulation technique that has been highly prized since time immemorial. Fourteen hollow-wrought silver balls are supported by nine mask-like pendants with graphic ornaments in the early Slavic, 12th century piece, weighing just 98 g. This piece of jewellery may be compared to one of the exhibits currently in the Kreml Museum.