GENEVA.- Alongside its auction of Design, Art Déco, Art Nouveau, 20th Century Pictures, Books and Wine, on 13 November Koller Geneva will focus on contemporary Aboriginal Art. With the Arnaud Serval collection one of the most important collections worldwide in this sector will come under the hammer.

The Arnaud Serval Collection
An exceptional auction of contemporary Aboriginal art
Koller Geneva is pleased to present at auction one of the most important collections of contemporary Aboriginal art worldwide. The auction will take place on 13 November in collaboration with “L'espace d'art Carry On” the gallery of Arnaud Serval, who, with a collection of around 2000 works, is one of the most long standing and knowledgeable connoisseurs of indigenous Australian art.

In order to familiarise the public with the creative variety of Aboriginal artworks, 125 lots representing the most diverse forms and techniques were selected for the auction. Consequently, the works to be offered at auction range from acrylics on canvas, to works in earth colours on tree bark, to sculptures and didgeridoos - that is the full range of Aboriginal art. Up to 1970 the art of the Aborigines was dedicated exclusively to ceremonial purposes and used for one-off occasions. Since then increasingly durable works have been produced, which, like poems, narrate the story of the Aborigines using different levels of complexity. Amongst the most famous artists today are Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri (1932-2002), Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-1996) and Rover Thomas (1926-1998). As the trailblazers, so to speak, of contemporary Aboriginal art, their works today are bought and sold on the international market.

The highlights of the auction at Koller Geneva on 13 November are Lot 722 and Lot 735. One is a monumental masterpiece “Tingari-Cyklus, Wilkinkarra Lake Mackay” (210x348 cm) from 2007 by the artist Ronnie Tjampitjinpa. This work represents Lake Mackay, which is also the birthplace of Tjampitjinpas, and is estimated at CHF 60 000 / 80 000. The other work is the picture “The two brothers Tjangala in Warlugulong” by Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri in a wonderfully coloured version from 1997, with an estimate of CHF 90 000 to 120 000

Art Déco, Art Nouveau
Classic pieces by Tiffany and Gallé
Amongst the highlights of the Art Déco /Art Nouveau sale at Koller Geneva on 13 November are two table lamps by Tiffany Studios N.Y. The 81 cm “4-Light” model, circa 1900, made in patinated bronze and Favrile glass, which has the appearance of an artichoke, will be offered with an estimate of CHF 15 000 / 25 000 (Lot 38) and the somewhat smaller “Ten-light lily” circa 1910 and made of the same materials will be offered at CHF 25 000 / 35 000 (Lot 37).

Several objects from the workshop of Emile Gallé also come to auction. The most striking object here is a 26 cm-tall red vase with a golden dragon motif from 1890 at CHF 8 000 /12 000 (Lot 61). On the other hand, we have a classically elegant mushroom-shaped table lamp circa 1900 made of white glass with an orange and brown foliate decoration at CHF 7 000 / 10 000 (Lot 12).

Design
International Design from Ron Arad to Gaetano Pesce
The top lot in the Design Auction on 13 November at Koller Geneva comes from the Israeli star designer Ron Arad. His Aluminium-Fauteuil “à double coque” designed in 2006 will be offered by this auction house with an estimate of CHF 50 000 to 70 000 (Lot 360). A second auction highlight is the bronze sculpture UP7, which is in the form of a 1.6 meter long man’s foot, by the New York architect and designer Gaentano Pesces. The bronze, designed as early as 1969, currently being produced again for the Superego house, can be purchased for CHF 40 000 - 50 000 (Lot 339). A further contemporary design highlight is the 1.6 meter tall “Fidji” wardrobe with marine plant decoration by Elisabeth Garouste. The cabinet, from 2009, made from iron and ceramic will be offered at CHF 18 000 / 20 000 (Lot 355). In addition, from Shiro Kuramata comes the pyramid-shaped drawer-shelf designed in 1969 for Capellini with an estimate of CHF 15 000 / 20 000 (Lot 249). As an example of early design Koller is offering the “Klismos” suite from the workshop of Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings from 1937. The chaise-longue and two chairs are estimated at CHF 12 000 / 18 000 (Lot 203).

Paintings
Focus on France and Western Switzerland
Paintings from France and Western Switzerland feature strongly in the November 20th century pictures auction at Koller Geneva. A particular example is the scene “Une maison et des fleures faites de solitude” from 1970 rendered in warm burgundy tones at CHF 15 000 / 20 000 by Theo Tobiasse (Lot 580). From Paul Aïzpiri comes an impressionistic depiction of Pont Neuf for CHF 10 000 / 15 000 (Lot 563). Swiss symbolism is presented at auction with an enchanting depiction of Lake Bieler from 1918 by Ernst Samuel Geiger. The glassy smooth lake amongst majestic mountains will be offered for CHF 8 000 / 12 000 (Lot 511). Finally, a more recent colour silk screen by Roy Lichtenstein comes to auction. Lichtenstein created “Water Lily” around 1993 in an edition of 5200. The estimate stands at CHF 4 000 / 6 000 (Lot 599).

Books
One of the highlights of the Books Auction at Koller Geneva is a lavishly designed edition by Paul Jouve from 1919 of the classic “Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling. The translation by Louis Fabuler and Robert d’Humières with 142 colour compositions in gold and polychrome, 32 mostly signed illustrations, 96 vignettes and 15 decorative wood cut letters will be offered at Koller for CHF 20 000 / 28 000 (Lot 936). Of more recent date is the 2006 volume of “The Art Edition” by the publishers Taschen, with numerous photographs by Peter Beard. Numbers 396 to 2500 will be offered at Koller with an estimate of CHF 8 000 / 12 000 (Lot 901).

Wine
The wine auction offers a fine selection of Bordeaux from the years 1980 to 1990, some vintage wines from 1990 and 2000 as well as a fine series of Premiers-Crus and high quality vintage champagnes.