Fine Furniture & Decorative Arts
Koller’s history is inextricably linked with the decorative arts, beginning with our first auction in 1958. Furniture, silver, porcelain and sculpture are among our oldest core areas of expertise, and many highly important works of decorative art have been auctioned by Koller over the years. The bureau plat by André-Charles Boulle illustrated below is today considered to be the piece by which all other creations by the celebrated ébéniste to King Louis XIV are measured.
No other European auction house organises twice-annual auctions with such a high concentration of quality furniture and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, including masterworks in silver and gold, and rare early Meissen porcelain.
No other European auction house organises twice-annual auctions with such a high concentration of quality furniture and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries, including masterworks in silver and gold, and rare early Meissen porcelain.
![IMPORTANT BUREAU-PLAT OF THE MARQUIS DE NICOLAY "AUX TETES DE SATYRE",Regency, by A.C. BOULLE (André Charles Boulle, 1643-1732), Paris ca. 1720. Ebony and red/brown tortoise shell, exceptionally finely inlaid with engraved brass fillets in "première-partie"; flowers, cartouches and leaves. Rectangular top etched in bronze and lined with gold-stamped leather. Front with broad retracted central drawer, flanked by 1 drawer on each side, and the same but sham arrangement verso, with the exception of the central mascaron of the bust of Democritus. Exceptionally opulent matte and polished gilt brass mounts. Old restorations, so-called "restaurations d'usage". 195x98x80 cm. Provenance: - Family Malon de Bercy or family de Nicolay, in the 18th century. - Léon, Marquis de Nicolay (1801-1873). - Remained in possession of the same family by inheritance, presently in a castle collection, Suisse romande. With detailed opinion by J.D. Augarde, S.C.P. Jean Ronfort, Paris, 25 July 2014.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/50179/50179_M_1.jpg "IMPORTANT BUREAU-PLAT OF THE MARQUIS DE NICOLAY "AUX TETES DE SATYRE",Regency, by A.C. BOULLE (André Charles Boulle, 1643-1732), Paris ca. 1720. Ebony and red/brown tortoise shell, exceptionally finely inlaid with engraved brass fillets in "première-partie"; flowers, cartouches and leaves. Rectangular top etched in bronze and lined with gold-stamped leather. Front with broad retracted central drawer, flanked by 1 drawer on each side, and the same but sham arrangement verso, with the exception of the central mascaron of the bust of Democritus. Exceptionally opulent matte and polished gilt brass mounts. Old restorations, so-called "restaurations d'usage". 195x98x80 cm. Provenance: - Family Malon de Bercy or family de Nicolay, in the 18th century. - Léon, Marquis de Nicolay (1801-1873). - Remained in possession of the same family by inheritance, presently in a castle collection, Suisse romande. With detailed opinion by J.D. Augarde, S.C.P. Jean Ronfort, Paris, 25 July 2014.")
![IMPORTANT CENTRE TABLE "AUX FEMMES AILEES", Restauration, sign. L.A. BELLANGE 8, PASSAGE SAULNIER (Louis Alexandre Bellangé, "Ebéniste de la Couronne" 1834), Paris circa 1835/40. Mahogany veneer and matte and polished and silver-plated bronze. The top lined with wine red leather and edged in bronze, with 2 caryatids and 2 column supports, the supports with armorial cartouche with monogram under crown. 172x86x80 cm. Provenance: - formerly Ségoura, Paris. - from a European collection.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/180587/180587_M_1.jpg "IMPORTANT CENTRE TABLE "AUX FEMMES AILEES", Restauration, sign. L.A. BELLANGE 8, PASSAGE SAULNIER (Louis Alexandre Bellangé, "Ebéniste de la Couronne" 1834), Paris circa 1835/40. Mahogany veneer and matte and polished and silver-plated bronze. The top lined with wine red leather and edged in bronze, with 2 caryatids and 2 column supports, the supports with armorial cartouche with monogram under crown. 172x86x80 cm. Provenance: - formerly Ségoura, Paris. - from a European collection.")
![SECRÉTAIRE A ABATTANT WITH PAINTED PANELS,Louis XVI, stamped N. PETIT (Nicolas Petit, maitre 1761), guild stamp, Paris circa 1775/80. Tulipwood, amaranth and partly green-dyed precious woods in veneer, the panels Chinese 18th century, with fine figural landscapes on light blue ground. The fall-front writing surface lined inside with green leather, set between drawer and compartment with double door. The fitted interior with large central compartment flanked by drawers under 3 large compartments. With exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and shaped "Levanto" top. 114x41.5x(open101)x147 cm. Provenance: - Laire Dubreuil auction, Galerie G. Petit Paris am 4.6.1921 (lot no. 76). - Galerie Fleuries auction, Cannes 31.1.1962 (lot no. 44). - from a very important European private collection Publications: - G. Henriot, Les beaux meubles des collections privées, Paris 1928; plate IX, ill. 2. - Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français, in: Collection Connaissances des Arts, Paris 1963; p. 209 (ill.5). - P. Lemonnier, Nicolas Petit, un ébéniste prospère, in: L'Estampille / L'Objet d'Art 1, 1990; p. 44f.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/201772/201772_M_1.jpg "SECRÉTAIRE A ABATTANT WITH PAINTED PANELS,Louis XVI, stamped N. PETIT (Nicolas Petit, maitre 1761), guild stamp, Paris circa 1775/80. Tulipwood, amaranth and partly green-dyed precious woods in veneer, the panels Chinese 18th century, with fine figural landscapes on light blue ground. The fall-front writing surface lined inside with green leather, set between drawer and compartment with double door. The fitted interior with large central compartment flanked by drawers under 3 large compartments. With exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and shaped "Levanto" top. 114x41.5x(open101)x147 cm. Provenance: - Laire Dubreuil auction, Galerie G. Petit Paris am 4.6.1921 (lot no. 76). - Galerie Fleuries auction, Cannes 31.1.1962 (lot no. 44). - from a very important European private collection Publications: - G. Henriot, Les beaux meubles des collections privées, Paris 1928; plate IX, ill. 2. - Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français, in: Collection Connaissances des Arts, Paris 1963; p. 209 (ill.5). - P. Lemonnier, Nicolas Petit, un ébéniste prospère, in: L'Estampille / L'Objet d'Art 1, 1990; p. 44f.")
![PAIR OF DEMI-LUNE CHESTS OF DRAWERS WITH FLORAL MARQUETRY,Louis XVI, stamped C. TOPINO (Charles Topino, maitre 1773), guild stamp, Paris circa 1775/80. Tulipwood, amaranth and partly dyed precious woods in veneer, with exceptionally fine inlay of floral garlands, fillets and frieze. The demi-lune chests with slightly salient angles and fluted columnar legs, 2 sans traverse drawers under a narrower top drawer, and 1 door at each side. Decorated with exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts, applications and sabots and with a shaped "Carrara" top. 142x58x87 cm and 130x60x88 cm. Provenance: from a German collection .](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/117817/117817_M_1.jpg "PAIR OF DEMI-LUNE CHESTS OF DRAWERS WITH FLORAL MARQUETRY,Louis XVI, stamped C. TOPINO (Charles Topino, maitre 1773), guild stamp, Paris circa 1775/80. Tulipwood, amaranth and partly dyed precious woods in veneer, with exceptionally fine inlay of floral garlands, fillets and frieze. The demi-lune chests with slightly salient angles and fluted columnar legs, 2 sans traverse drawers under a narrower top drawer, and 1 door at each side. Decorated with exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts, applications and sabots and with a shaped "Carrara" top. 142x58x87 cm and 130x60x88 cm. Provenance: from a German collection .")
![IMPORTANT BOULLE MARQUETRY CHEST OF DRAWERS,Régence, from a Paris master workshop, circa 1720/30. Polychrome tortoiseshell finely inlaid on all sides with engraved brass "contre partie" with scenes from Ovid's Metamorphosis within cartouches. The bombé chest with 2 drawers at the front and shaped top edged in bronze. With exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts, sabots and applications. 129x65x84 cm. Provenance: - Galerie Didier Aaron, Paris. - from a very important European private collection. .](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/107594/107594_M_1.jpg "IMPORTANT BOULLE MARQUETRY CHEST OF DRAWERS,Régence, from a Paris master workshop, circa 1720/30. Polychrome tortoiseshell finely inlaid on all sides with engraved brass "contre partie" with scenes from Ovid's Metamorphosis within cartouches. The bombé chest with 2 drawers at the front and shaped top edged in bronze. With exceptionally fine matte and polished gilt bronze mounts, sabots and applications. 129x65x84 cm. Provenance: - Galerie Didier Aaron, Paris. - from a very important European private collection. .")
![IMPORTANT CABINET WITH BOULLE MARQUETRY,known as a "bibliotheque en armoire", Louis XIV/Regence, by N. SAGEOT (Nicolas Sageot, maitre 1706), Paris circa 1715/1720. Ebony and ebonized fruitwoods, exceptionally finely inlaid with engraved brass fillets in "contre partie". Exceptionally fine, matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and applications. Doors with original interior surfaces and locks. 180x58.5x290 cm. Provenance: - From a Swiss collection. - Sotheby's Zurich 10.12.1998 (Lot No. 411). - Swiss private collection. A highly important and rare cabinet in excellent condition.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/110582/110582_M_1.jpg "IMPORTANT CABINET WITH BOULLE MARQUETRY,known as a "bibliotheque en armoire", Louis XIV/Regence, by N. SAGEOT (Nicolas Sageot, maitre 1706), Paris circa 1715/1720. Ebony and ebonized fruitwoods, exceptionally finely inlaid with engraved brass fillets in "contre partie". Exceptionally fine, matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and applications. Doors with original interior surfaces and locks. 180x58.5x290 cm. Provenance: - From a Swiss collection. - Sotheby's Zurich 10.12.1998 (Lot No. 411). - Swiss private collection. A highly important and rare cabinet in excellent condition.")
![BUREAU-PLAT, Louis XV, stamped BVRB, The bronzes with "c couronné", Paris circa 1745/49. Highly important hitherto unknown bureau-plat by the most important royal cabinet maker of the mid 18th century, of perfect quality and elegance. The almost identical pair to this piece is today in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art (Inventory number. 44123). Provenance: Private Collection, West Switzerland.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/186130/186130_M_1.jpg "BUREAU-PLAT, Louis XV, stamped BVRB, The bronzes with "c couronné", Paris circa 1745/49. Highly important hitherto unknown bureau-plat by the most important royal cabinet maker of the mid 18th century, of perfect quality and elegance. The almost identical pair to this piece is today in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art (Inventory number. 44123). Provenance: Private Collection, West Switzerland.")
![IMPORTANT COMMODE WITH BOULLE MARQUETRY,Louis XIV, by G.M. OPPENORDT (Gilles Marie Oppenordt, 1672-1742), Paris circa 1700. Ebony and brown tortoiseshell with exceptionally fine, engraved brass "contre partie" inlays. The top edged in bronze. "En arbalete" front with 3 drawers. Exceptionally rich, matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and applications. Verso old owner's label "Comte de Contades 9/5 - 21". 122x67x82 cm. Provenance: - Formerly part of the collections of the Marquis Charles Henry de Malon de Bercy, Chateau de Bercy. - Via inheritance and marriage in the de Nicolay collection, Chateau de Bercy. - Christie's Geneva auction on 18.11.1974 (Lot No. 57). - Private collection, Monte Carlo. A highly important commode of impressive quality and elegance.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/34914/34914_M_1.jpg "IMPORTANT COMMODE WITH BOULLE MARQUETRY,Louis XIV, by G.M. OPPENORDT (Gilles Marie Oppenordt, 1672-1742), Paris circa 1700. Ebony and brown tortoiseshell with exceptionally fine, engraved brass "contre partie" inlays. The top edged in bronze. "En arbalete" front with 3 drawers. Exceptionally rich, matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and applications. Verso old owner's label "Comte de Contades 9/5 - 21". 122x67x82 cm. Provenance: - Formerly part of the collections of the Marquis Charles Henry de Malon de Bercy, Chateau de Bercy. - Via inheritance and marriage in the de Nicolay collection, Chateau de Bercy. - Christie's Geneva auction on 18.11.1974 (Lot No. 57). - Private collection, Monte Carlo. A highly important commode of impressive quality and elegance.")
![IMPORTANT MAHOGANY CONSOLE "A LA TETE D'HERCULE",Empire, after designs by C. PERCIER (Charles Percier 1764-1838) and P.F. FONTAINE (Pierre François Fontaine, 1762-1853), attributed to F.H.G. JACOB-DESMALTER (François Honoré Georges Jacob-Desmalter, 1770-1841), Paris circa 1810. With a "Carrara" top above 4 chimaera supports with the head of Hercules. Four drawers at the front. Decorated with exceptionally rich matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and applications. 300x60x93 cm. Provenance: - According to an invoice, formerly in the collection of the Duchesse de Valençay. - Galerie Aveline, Paris. - from a European private collection.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/108623/108623_M_1.jpg "IMPORTANT MAHOGANY CONSOLE "A LA TETE D'HERCULE",Empire, after designs by C. PERCIER (Charles Percier 1764-1838) and P.F. FONTAINE (Pierre François Fontaine, 1762-1853), attributed to F.H.G. JACOB-DESMALTER (François Honoré Georges Jacob-Desmalter, 1770-1841), Paris circa 1810. With a "Carrara" top above 4 chimaera supports with the head of Hercules. Four drawers at the front. Decorated with exceptionally rich matte and polished gilt bronze mounts and applications. 300x60x93 cm. Provenance: - According to an invoice, formerly in the collection of the Duchesse de Valençay. - Galerie Aveline, Paris. - from a European private collection.")
![ASTRONOMICAL LONG CASE CLOCK WITH 3-MONTH POWER RESERVE "A EQUATION DU TEMPS",Empire/Restauration, the dial signed BREGUET (Abraham Louis Breguet, 1747 Neuchatel 1823), the movement signed and numbered BREGUET & COMPIE No 220, Neuchatel before 1836. Shaped mahogany. Silver-plated bronze chapter ring, additional ring for minutes and seconds, and window for the "equation du temps". Blued steel hands. Exceptional brass movement with Graham anchor escapement, jumping seconds, perpetual calendar, equation of time with linear and constant force as well as bell striking "a la minute" on demand. Running period: 90 days. H 200 cm. Provenance: - As the reference clock for the workshop of A.L. Breguet between 1836 and 1847. - Collection of the Conte di Montalvo y Nunez del Castillo, acquired on 28.10.1847 for Fr4000. - Repurchased by Breguet in 1849 and placed in the workshop again. - In 1855 presented in the "Exposition Universelle" exhibition in Paris where it was purchased for a private collection. - Swiss private collection. With expertise from Breguet & Companie. A very rare long case clock.](/CatCache/catcache.3/pictures/48401/48401_M_1.jpg "ASTRONOMICAL LONG CASE CLOCK WITH 3-MONTH POWER RESERVE "A EQUATION DU TEMPS",Empire/Restauration, the dial signed BREGUET (Abraham Louis Breguet, 1747 Neuchatel 1823), the movement signed and numbered BREGUET & COMPIE No 220, Neuchatel before 1836. Shaped mahogany. Silver-plated bronze chapter ring, additional ring for minutes and seconds, and window for the "equation du temps". Blued steel hands. Exceptional brass movement with Graham anchor escapement, jumping seconds, perpetual calendar, equation of time with linear and constant force as well as bell striking "a la minute" on demand. Running period: 90 days. H 200 cm. Provenance: - As the reference clock for the workshop of A.L. Breguet between 1836 and 1847. - Collection of the Conte di Montalvo y Nunez del Castillo, acquired on 28.10.1847 for Fr4000. - Repurchased by Breguet in 1849 and placed in the workshop again. - In 1855 presented in the "Exposition Universelle" exhibition in Paris where it was purchased for a private collection. - Swiss private collection. With expertise from Breguet & Companie. A very rare long case clock.")
