Editor: GORNY & MOSCH Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0 Giessener ...

PRESS RELEASE Auction 179, 19.06.2009, Report
Gorny & Mosch, Giessener Münzhandlung, Munich
Sale 179 Antiquities – Review June 19 th , 2009
On June 19 th , 2009, sale 179 at Gorny & Mosch’s, Giessener Münzhandlung, took place in Munich. A
wide variety of 676 antiquities were presented there – from marble large-scale sculpture to tiny
gems, from prehistoric times to Rococo.
Sales like this mirroring the entire spectrum of ancient art offer a good insight into overall market
trends. Whereas some years ago the “scholarly” object, the object with a historical background was
much sought after, at present buyers are looking for something decorative to embellish not only the
“study room” but also the living space. In this regard, particularly large-scale sculptures found many
admirers.
Dr Christoph von Mosch stressed that the company’s policy once again paid off at this sale. With the
gallery many collectors could be won who now, as dealers are more reluctant to buy, caused a good
result.
Particular interest was paid to the “special objects”, the first 40 catalogue lots with the highlights of
the sale. It was really no wonder then, that the majority of objects reached five-figure sums, to some
extent even with impressive rates of increase. A statuette of the Greek love goddess Aphrodite – an
outstanding example of the late Hellenistic style of the 2 nd and 1 st cent. B. C. – rose from its estimate
of 20.000 to 43.000 Euros*, the two Minoan vases even rose from 10.000 to almost 30.000 and
25.300 Euros, respectively. A statuette of Aphrodite from Roman Imperial times whose
representation traces back to the world-famous “Knidian Aphrodite” made by Praxiteles was sold for
23.000 Euros (estimate: 12.000 Euros). The four extremely well preserved helmets all reached fivefigure
sums, two of them brought the best results of the sale with their prices realized of around
52.000 Euros.
Concerning the numerous glass vessels, interest focused on the most impressive objects of which
two are mentioned here: for a late Classical / early Hellenistic miniature jug from the Mediterranean
region with a height of only 10 cm and a delicate feather pattern the new owner paid the formidable
price of 32.200 Euros. An entirely intact askos from Imperial times in the shape of a wineskin with its
fanciful handle decoration could boost its estimate of 4.000 Euros two and half times and was sold
for 11.500 Euros.
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
Maximiliansplatz 20 info@gmcoinart.de
D-80333 München www.gmcoinart.de
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All four pairs of golden wreaths reached good prices between 1.500 and 2.300 Euros after being
estimated at 1.500 Euros. Was it the gold that allured? Or did the delicate execution fascinate? This
question can be asked, too, in regard to the small fibula in the shape of a bee sold for 2.750 Euros to
its new owner (estimate: 2.000 Euros).
As mentioned in the beginning, the objects in the category “stone sculpture” yielded good results.
One example is the first object, a larger than life portrait head of the late Roman Emperor Gratian. Its
price rose from estimated 8.000 to 13.800 Euros. A charming statue of Aphrodite wearing a
transparent garment even reached the notable sum of 39.100 Euros (estimate: 20.000 Euros).
Mainly spectacular pieces were sold from the section of bronze statuettes, for example a Roman
representation of Jupiter from the 1 st cent. A. D. with thunderbolt and eagle as his characteristic
attributes. This piece measuring 12.5 cm in height is preserved intact despite the expanded position
of the figure’s arms: after being cautiously estimated at 3.500 Euros, it was given to its buyer for
10.350 Euros.
Among the black- and red-figure vases – another highlight of every sale – especially the lekythoi won
the collectors’ favour. An Attic lekythos of the Bowdoin Painter in an excellent state of preservation
more than doubled its estimate (1.500 / 3.680 Euro).
A few other, extraordinary objects shall be mentioned here, seldom found not only in sales: for
example a Roman folding chair estimated at 3.000 Euros and sold for 9.775 Euros, an impressive
Syro-Palestinian basalt idol most possibly made in the 4 th millennium B. C. that found a new owner
for 6.900 Euros (estimate: 3.000 Euros), a Byzantine procession cross from the 10 th or 11 th cent. with
engraved decoration realizing almost 15.000 Euros (estimate: 5.000 Euros) and an antique style
statuette of a sitting girl from the Rococo sold for 8.625 Euros (estimate: 2.000 Euros).
To view all further results visit www.gmcoinart.de. The next antiquities sale at Gorny & Mosch’s will
take place in December. To order a catalogue please contact Gorny & Mosch, Maximiliansplatz 20,
80333 Munich, phone +49 / 89 / 24 22 643-0, fax +49 / 89 / 22 85 513.
* All results are prices realized including the 15% additional fee.
No 3: Statuette of Aphrodite. Marble. Late Hellenistic, 2 nd -1 st cent. B. C. Estimate: 20.000 Euros.
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
Maximiliansplatz 20 info@gmcoinart.de
D-80333 München www.gmcoinart.de
43.700 Euros
No 4: Statuette of Aphrodite, after the “Knidian” type by Praxiteles. Marble. Roman, 1 st -2 nd cent. A. D.
Estimate: 12.000 Euros.
23.000 Euros
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No 32: Corinthian helmet. Bronze. 1 st half of 6 th cent. B. C. Estimate: 50.000 Euros.
Editor:
GORNY & MOSCH Phone: +49-89/24 22 643-0
Giessener Münzhandlung GmbH Fax: + 49-89/22 85 513
Maximiliansplatz 20 info@gmcoinart.de
D-80333 München www.gmcoinart.de
52.900 Euros
No 41: Miniature jug. Glass. Eastern Mediterranean region, 4 th -3 rd cent. B. C. Estimate: 18.000 Euros.
No 259: Statue of Aphrodite. Marble. Roman, 1 st cent. A. D. Estimate: 20.000 Euros.
Press Contact:
Dr. Ursula Kampmann
Pestalozzistr. 35
D-79540 Lörrach
Phone: +49-76 21/47 734
Mobile: 01 72/76 64 616
ukampmann@muenzenwoche.de
32.200 Euros
39.100 Euros
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