A historic collection of fine art objects and furniture from Säbylund Manor at the Important Spring Sale 7–8 June.

Two hundred and thirty years ago the new manor house Säbylund in Närkeslätten was completed. The 26 rooms were furnished with the finest contemporary art and craft items available in Sweden. The owners of the house, siblings Hedvig Margareta and Claes de Frietzcky, had the most beautiful Gustavian salons created. Claes de Frietzcky’s handwritten inventory from 1789 includes, among other things, the gilded Gustavian bed with beautiful carving, and the two console tables and the mirrors hanging above them by Pehr Ljung. From an art history perspective, what is interesting is that the bed is referred to by de Frietzcky as Gustavian. It is rare for a furniture style to gain its name during the actual period.

Since the house was completed in 1787, the furniture has not left Säbylund. However, additional furniture and portraits have been added as a result of inheritance. In addition to a number of pieces of furniture, several significant Swedish portraits linked to the families who lived at Säbylund and their relatives are being sold. Several of these people played an important role in science, culture and politics. The Rococo portraits include a number of exceptional pastel portraits by Gustaf Lundberg depicting members of the von Liewen and Ribbing families.

Johan Tobias Sergel is responsible for the beautifully-executed plaster bust by Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm, and two plaster medallions, one of which depicts Count and Marshal of the Realm Hans Henric von Essen (1755-1824), who was destined to be present at a key moment of Swedish history. He was the person walking arm-in-arm with King Gustav III when the king was shot at a masquerade ball. Eighteen years later Hans Henric von Essen, then as King Karl XIII’s Marshal of the Realm, stood in Helsingborg to welcome Sweden’s new crown prince, Jean Baptiste Bernadotte.

Hans Henric von Essen’s first wife was Baroness Charlotta de Geer af Leufsta, daughter of Charles de Geer and Ulrica Elisabeth von Liewen. It was through her that H. H. von Essen became the owner of the medieval Wik Castle in Uppland. Among the items from Wik are the splendid porphyry pieces, such as the late Gustavian urn made from Blyberg porphyry, with exquisite mountings of gilded bronze, probably made by Swedish court ciseleur Fredrik Ludvig Rung. From Wik comes also Fabian Wrede’s Prechtspegel with Wrede’s arms engraved in the mirror glass.

“Today it is very rare for such an old and pristine collection of art objects of the highest class to be made available for sale. It is a privilege to get to know a family’s long and fascinating history through their possessions,” says Henrik Åberg, specialist in furniture and crafts.

Previous owners of Säbylund:
1768 – By purchase, Thure Gyllenspetz, married to Hedvig Margareta de Frietzcky.
1788 – By bequest (fideicommissum) Charlotta Elisabet von Essen, married to Nils Silfverschiöld.
1822 – Her sister Gustafva Fredrika von Essen, married to Gustaf Julius Lewenhaupt.
1838 – Their daughter Charlotte Lewenhaupt.
1869 – Her brother Axel Lewenhaupt’s widow Eugenia Carolina Desideria von Essen.
1894 – Her son Carl Harald Eugène Lewenhaupt, married to Anna Maria Helena Mesterton.
1927 – His nephew Carl von Essen.
1947 – His nephew Karl Gustav Lagerfelt, married to Mary Charmian Sara Champion de Crespigny.
1970 – By purchase, their son Johan Lagerfelt, married to Ingrid Eriksson.

WHEN IS THE VIEWING AND THE SALE?

Viewing 1 – 6 June at Bukowskis, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm. Mon–Fri 11 AM –18 PM, Sat–Sun 11 AM–17 PM.
Sale 7 – 8 June at Bukowskis, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm. The Asian Sale is held on June 8.

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