Hammer prices above 1 million

The opening evening in Bredgade produced two super hammer prices that broke the million kroner barrier. A detailed still life from the 17th century by Dutch artist Floris Gerritsz van Schooten fetched DKK 1,600,000, and Danish Skaw painter P.S. Krøyer’s “Nøgen Dreng, set fra højre Side i Løb paa Sandet ud mod Vandet” (Naked boy seen from the right running on the sand towards the water) from 1892 achieved a hammer price of DKK 1,000,000.

Chinese and Russian art

“We continue to see the Chinese market driving forward. Chinese bidders are particularly interested in older Chinese collectables, porcelain, textiles and furniture. The Russian market for art also has plenty of purchasing power. Here, we are seeing high hammer prices for Russian antiques and paintings,” according to Kasper Nielsen, director of sales and estimates for Bruun Rasmussen’s antiques department.    

In the department of antique furniture, there was particularly keen interest in a pair of large Famille Rose Canton enamel wall lamps from the collection left by the late Arne Schlesch, which went for DKK 320,000, and a pair of East Indian chests of drawers from 1740–50, which sold for DKK 300,000.

There were a number of surprises at the auction of Russian and Oriental art and craft art. A cut-out ivory Chinese seal with a dragon chasing a burning pearl achieved a hammer price of DKK 320,000. A Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup also fetched DKK 320,000. Another strong contender was Russian painter Ilya Repin’s Portrait of a Boyar, which sold for DKK 200,000.

Museum acquisitions

It is always very gratifying when museums join in the bidding and acquire art works at our art auctions. So far, five works have been sold to Danish museums, including Laurits Tuxen’s statuette of Danish painter P. S. Krøyer with his painter’s bag and walking stick, purchased by Skagens Museum. Michael Ancher’s “Læsøpige i Nationaldragt” (Girl from Læsø wearing national costume) went to Læsø Museum, while F. C. Gröger’s portrait of King Christian VIII was acquired by The Museum of National History, Frederiksborg Castle.

The international auctions at Bredgade continue until Thursday 9 December 2010.

Read more about the auctions here