Magnificent furniture, masterful works of art, and rare jewellery at the Important Spring Sale
After successful auctions for modern and contemporary art and design, Bukowskis concludes the live season with the Important Spring Sale – the largest live auction of the spring, featuring the best of the best in art, furniture, works of art, and jewellery.
The auction featured furniture, handicrafts, and jewellery of consistently high quality. Highlights included a pair of corner cabinets by Gottlieb Iwersson, a magnificent chandelier by Carl Edberg, a section dedicated to W.A. Bolin, and a White Glove for Carl Kempe's Asian gold collection.
High Final Prices for Gottlieb Iwersson
A pair of splendid Gustavian corner cabinets by Gottlieb Iwersson, with provenance from Torup Castle, was the first lot to sale above 1 million SEK. After a lively bidding they sold for the impressive final price of 1.8 million SEK.
Additional highlights in this section included a table by Gottlieb Iwersson, an Empire console table from the early 1800s, and a bureau by the master Nils Petter Stenström, all of which exceeded expectations and sold for several times their estimates.
Carl Edberg's Masterpiece
In the works of art section, a magnificent chandelier by Carl Edberg (circa 1755) in gilded and silvered brass with intricate decoration sold for a final price of 1.5 million SEK. Other highlights included a Rococo lantern from the late 18th century, Empire candelabras, a pair of consoles in the style of Carl Hårleman, and a collection of porphyry and marble.
In the ceramics section, high final prices were achieved for plates, dishes, and tureens in "Flora Danica" from Royal Copenhagen. The extensive carpet department featured, among others, an antique Lahore rug from northern India (modern-day Pakistan) that sold for a closing price of 312,500 SEK. Other highlights from the section included a Western Anatolian "Lotto" from the 17th century, a semi-antique figural Ghom, a semi-antique Isfahan, and a woven tapestry, "Game park," from the mid-16th century.
The W.A. Bolin Collection
Highlights in the silver and objects of vertu section included a Baroque tankard by Johan Ståhle, a pair of late Gustavian candlesticks by Pehr Zethelius, and an imperial presentation box in gold, enamel, and diamonds by Alexander Treiden. A Rococo coffee pot by Henrik Christoffer Klint from 1770 became one of the most expensive items in the section, selling for over twice its estimate at a final price of 625,000 SEK.
Unique to this edition of the Important Spring Sale was a section dedicated to the imperial court jeweller W.A. Bolin and a collection of items with provenance from generations within the Bolin family. Among the high-quality array of enamel works and silver items were a splendid wine cooler, a silver and enamel frame with pearls and diamonds, and a pair of impressive cut glass decanters with silver mounts, which sold for a final price of 825,000 SEK. Among the jewellery signed by Bolin, we saw two exquisite brooches: one with pearls and diamonds, and another with step-cut emeralds and old-cut diamonds. The latter sold for a final price of 725,000 SEK.
Harry Winston Shines
The jewellery section concluded the first day of the auction with more sparkling highlights. Among them were a rare tiara in silver and gold with old-cut and rose-cut diamonds, and a platinum collier with heart-shaped brilliant-cut diamonds from Harry Winston, which sold for a final price of 900,000 SEK.
White Glove for Kempe's Gold Collection
Bukowskis’ Asian department presented items from several prestigious Scandinavian collections this season, such as those of Dr Carl Kempe, Axel Lagrelius, Dag Malms, Klas E Böök, Paul R. Wedendal, and many more.
Carl Kempe’s gold collection achieved a "White Glove" status, meaning all items were sold. Highlights from the collection included a magnificent gold vase dated to the 12th/14th century, which sold for over 1.6 million SEK. Also from the same collection was a spectacular gilt bronze tiger dated to the Six Dynasties period (220-589 AD), which sold for several times its estimate, achieving a final price of 925,000 SEK.
The auction saw a high demand for imperial porcelain, resulting in several lots with a high final price. Highlights included nine bowls from the Qing Dynasty bearing the Daoguang seal mark, which sold for 575,000 SEK. Further notable items included a Sino-Tibetan Adibuddha Vajradhara from the 15th/16th century and a large bronze arrow vase 'Touhu', from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
During the spring live auctions for Contemporary Art and Design, Important Timepieces, and Modern Art & Design, Bukowskis has auctioned art, design, and watches totalling 254,4 million SEK (including fees) and achieved 35 listings above one million.
Consignment is ongoing for upcoming auctions. Please contact Bukowskis specialists today to sell at the best prices on the market.