The Munich auction house Hermann Historia recently hosted an exciting series of live and online auctions which focused on historical and military-historical pieces. The exceptional results show that the auction house’s efforts paid off, and many of the realised hammer prices left objects’ estimates far behind.
One of these highlights was a 15th-century French travel crown. The golden crown with spikes in Fleur-de-Lys form – the symbol of the French kingship – is decorated with gemstones and silver fittings in a niello technique. The piece was won by a renowned German museum for €40,000 (£33,780) including premium (the starting price was €8,000 or £6,755).
Although the original owner of the travel crown is unknown, the heritage of this helmet is unquestionable. The parade helmet once belonged to Emperor Wilhem II, and he would have worn it while acting as field marshal and chief of the regiment Garde du Corps. The piece is made of gilded tombak, and was auctioned for €70,000 (£59,112) including premium (the starting price was €12,000 or £10,135).
The outstanding state of preservation of an Assyrian bronze helmet from the 8th-7th century BC resulted in a price of €20,000 (£16,890) including premium (the starting price was €7,000 or £59,10).
For a more complete outfit, the highest bidder could claim a black-and-white cuirassier harness from the early 17th century. However, he had to pay a whopping €37,500 (£31,668), including premium (the starting price was €30,000 or £25,334).
Also from the Ottoman Empire was another highlight at Hermann Historica: the pageantry Kilij belonging Sultan Gazi Selim Khan. Dating from 1794, the sabre found a new owner for €62,500 (£52,780) including premium (the starting price was €40,000 euros or £33,778).
A Venetian parade foot axe from around 1500-10 similarly received a huge price increase from its original estimate. Decorated with tritons and sea monsters, recalling Venice’s days as a central nautical power, the piece received €62,500 (£52,780) including premium (the initial price was €15,000 or £12,667).
Of course, an ornately decorated Prunksäbel that had been presented to the Scottish Major David Ogilvy by his Brechin Volunteer Infantry Corps was not without bidders. The gilded weapon with a lion's head decoration and ivory handle was auctioned for €21,250 (£17,945) including premium (the starting price was €17,000 or £14,355).
Among the historical firearms was a gold-inlaid luxury percussion double rifle, made in Prague around 1850 by the gunsmith Anton Vinzent Lebeda for Emperor Franz Joseph I. A collector claimed the piece for €65,000 (£54,890) including premium (the starting price was €39,000 or £32,934).
Not only was memorabilia from the Austrian emperor on offer, but also that of his legendary wife Elisabeth, or ‘Sisi’. A pink summer dress, which the Empress had tailored for stays on her favourite island, Corfu, was sold for €35,000 (£29,556) including premium (the starting price was €9,500 or £8,022).
Another gem was a 1st class cross with a crown from the Imperial-Russian Order of St. Anne. Dating from 1867, the usual red had been replaced by black enamel. Ultimately, €23,750 (£20,055) including premium (starting price was €12,500 euros or £10,555) was paid for the unusual piece.
Many of the auction pieces were of museum-quality, such as this ebony cabinet executed in Antwerp in the mid-17th century. This of course was reflected in the final price – the beautiful baroque cabinet with fine silk embroidery amounted to €31,250 (£26,390) including premium (the starting price was €25,000 or £21,110).
A Buddha head made of volcanic rock, which crowned a statue in the 9th century on the Indonesian island of Java was claimed by an American collector for €72,500 (£61,224).
Finally, there is one last sensational price increase worth noting – a Japanese mokkogata tsuba with a charming crane and wave design was initiated at a mere €1,200 (£1,014). By the end of the bidding war, the decorative tsuba went for a staggering €23,750 (£20,056) including premium.
With such staggering results behind them, we’re already anticipating the sensational results the upcoming Hermann Historica auctions.
