Specialists / Collections
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| Porcelain and Silver in the age of Enlightenment The Zurich collection of Dr. René and Friederike Felber Special auction of 22 March 2010, Preview 13 to 21 March 2010. |
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S10/614 RARE "TÜRKENGRUPPE" Zurich, the model circa 1770. CHF 12 000 / 15 000 EUR 8 200 / 10 000 For a high-resolution image, please click on the picture. |
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S10/689 SILVER-GILT WINE TASTER Augsburg 1682. CHF 8 000 / 14 000 EUR 5 030 / 8 800 For a high-resolution image, please click on the picture. |
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S10/693 SILVER-GILT HUNTERS TRAVELLING SET Augsburg circa 1700. CHF 12 000 / 18 000 EUR 7 500 / 11 300 For a high-resolution image, please click on the picture. |
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S10/707 SET OF 6 CANDLE STICKS Zürich um 1800. CHF 18 000 / 28 000 EUR 11 300 / 17 600 For a high-resolution image, please click on the picture. |
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S10/634 MONKEY RIDING A DOG Zurich, the model circa 1775, circle of Valentin Sonnenschein. CHF 15 000 / 20 000 EUR 10 000 / 14 000 For a high-resolution image, please click on the picture. |
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S10/827 OFFICER WITH WHITE HORSE FROM THE ALLEGORY OF EUROPE Zurich circa 1770/1775. CHF 10 000 / 15 000 EUR 7 000 / 10 000 For a high-resolution image, please click on the picture. |
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| One of the most important private collections of 18th century Zurich porcelain and silver ever to come to auction will be presented at Koller Zurich on 22 March 2010. René Felber, a doctor, and his wife Friederike, an art historian, were fascinated with the history of the Zurich porcelain manufactory, and for over 60 years collected Zurich porcelain works, interspersed with pieces from Zurich silversmiths. Numerous publications and exhibitions were either inspired or realized by the couple during this period. No Zurich collection of this importance has been auctioned since the 1970s, when the celebrated and often-cited Paul Schnyder von Wartensee collection, as well as that of Alfred Schwarzenbach came to the auction block. The Felber collection gives a nearly complete picture of the depth and diversity of the figures produced by this extraordinary manufactory in its brief, 30-year existence, and the adjective “rare” can be genuinely applied to almost every piece. Two particularly amusing Türkengruppen depicting the liberation of beautiful female slaves belong to a 5-piece set representing “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” (“The Abduction of the Harem”). A pair of extremely rare dancers in soft-paste porcelain from the circle of the Commedia dell'arte, as well as a pair of groups depicting allegories of Europe and Asia embody the charming and unique style of this manufactory. The collection also features a series of figural groups created by the artist Valentin Sonnenschein, especially known for the figures he made for the Einsiedler service. Particularly noteworthy is a rare object from his circle, representing a monkey riding on the back of a dog. A large series of Ausruferfiguren (figurines of street merchants) and exquisite genre figures such as a maid serving coffee combine to present an accurate portrayal of daily life in 18th-century Zurich. The couple's passion for hunting did not fail to leave its mark on their collection. Along with porcelain figures on this subject, the Felbers assembled an important collection of silver hunting accessories, such as hunting wine tasters by Zurich as well as by Augsburg silversmiths. For the refined hunter on the move, a complete 18th-century traveling set in its original leather case is a must, including finely chased goblets, eggcups and silverware. |