The auction dedicated to Antique Furniture and Old Master Paintings focused on medieval allure, reviving a chivalric imagery that, across the centuries, is today greatly appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts:
€ 2.8 million in sales, 80% sell-through rate and 160% increase on starting prices.
From the very first session, with the section dedicated to the Melissa Gabardi-Minervino Collection, the strong appeal of this collection of exceptionally fine works was evident, characterised by the presence of particularly rare artefacts. Among the top results was the enchanting 16th-century travel chest (lot 165, € 94,500), followed by a precious amber cup (lot 163, € 80,640), a refined example of German art dating from the 17th-18th century.
The bidding was equally lively for the alabaster high relief from the Nottingham School (lot 153, € 30,240), dating to the 15th-16th century and depicting Christ crucified with angels and the Holy Father; for the "Portrait of Louise de Lorraine" (lot 149, € 17,640), attributed to a French master active in the late 16th century; and for the painting of "Penitent Magdalene" (lot 152, € 28,980) by a 17th-century Neapolitan master.
Lot 165
Art of the 16th century. Wooden travel chest entirely covered in iron with bronze profiles (cm 26x21x15).
Sold € 94.500
Lot 163
German art, 17th-18th century.
Amber cup with bronze elements (h. cm 20).
Sold € 80.640
Lot 153
Nottingham school, 15th-16th century.
"Christ crucified with angels and Holy Father", alabaster high relief with traces of polychrome (cm 50x27).
Sold € 30.240
Lot 152
Neapolitan master of the 17th century.
"Penitent Magdalene", oil on canvas (121x94 cm).
Sold € 28.980
The symbolic highlight of the entire sale was reached the following day with the Russian icon of “Saint George and the Dragon” (lot 171), the auction’s top lot at € 226,800: a work by the court silversmith Pavel Ovchinnikov from the 20th century, portraying the patron saint of knights and masterfully interweaving courage and spirituality.
Lot 171
Russian art, 20th century.
An important tempera icon on panel depicting Saint George slaying the Dragon within its silver-gilt gem-set basma (84 zolotniki),
ornate with silver filigree, polychrome cloisonné enamel, amethysts, citrine quartz, garnet cabochons and colored glass paste. Moscow, 1908-1917. Silversmith : Pavel OVCHINNIKOV, with mark of Supplier of the Imperial Court (cm 27x31).
Sold € 226.800
Collector interest also emerged for the painting by Alessandro Magnasco, "Drummer Training a Monkey" (lot 306, € 63,000), and for the portrait of “Saint Anthony the Abbot” by Florentine artist Carlo Dolci (lot 308, € 56,700).
Other highlights from the sale included the 18th-century casement (lot 254, € 35,280), an elegant walnut and walnut root piece reflecting the skill of Lombard cabinetmakers, and a veneered top decorated with precious marbles (lot 296, € 18,900).
Lot 306
Alessandro Magnasco (Genova 1667 - 1749).
"The gable player training a monkey", oil on canvas (63.5x42.5 cm).
Sold € 63.000
Lot 308
Carlo Dolci (Firenze 1616 - 1686).
"St. Anthony Abbot", oil on canvas (82.5x67.5 cm).
Sold € 56.700
Lot 254
Casement in walnut and walnut root.
Lombardy, 18th century (cm 140x121x60).
Sold € 35.280
In the carpets and textiles sector, standouts included the Sarouk Carpet (lot 197, € 25,200), featuring Agra-style decoration with medallions and palmettes in vibrant colours, and the rare 15th-16th century Flemish Tapestry (lot 272, € 22,680), with allegorical decorations evoking a fantastical forested landscape.
Finally, noteworthy was the terracotta attributed to Benedetto Buglioni (lot 263, € 18,900), an homage to Renaissance Florence.
Lot 197
Sarouk carpet, Persia,
20th century (cm 470x405).
Sold € 25.200
Lot 272
Tapestry, Flanders, probably made in Enghien,
15th-16th century. Hand woven in wool (cm 244x167).
Sold € 22.680
Lot 263
Benedetto Buglioni (Florence 1461-1521) (attr.).
Polychrome enamelled terracotta plate depicting a cloaked monk (cm 32,5x30,5)
on wooden support covered in velvet of later epoch.
Sold € 18.900