A one-of-a-kind transforming table by David Roentgen, woven worlds of legend, masterpieces of silversmithing and the collection of the ‘Pope of Mortars’

The spring decorative arts auctions in Cologne on 20th May offer something to delight collectors across a wide range of fields: A convertible table by David Roentgen offers a whole world of possibilities for work and play. Flemish tapestries from the 15th to the 17th century recount myths and legends, whilst significant collections are dedicated to silver, porcelain and ceramics from various eras, as well as mortars as objects of cultural and historical significance. 

At the auction on 20th May, Lempertz will be presenting museum-quality objects from major collections as well as outstanding individual pieces. A highlight of the fine cabinetry section is a rare transforming table by David Roentgen, which impressively combines technical sophistication with flawless craftsmanship and the highest artistic standards.

This piece of furniture was made some time between 1775 and 1780 and is one of the most impressive examples of the Roentgen workshop’s production. Rosewood, tulipwood, boxwood, fruitwoods and maple combine with gilded bronze and finely balanced marquetry to create an object that is more than just a prestigious showpiece: The multi-folding top allows for a variety of uses, ranging from a games table for chess and draughts to a writing desk with a concealed reading desk and a pull-out backgammon board. The estimated price of this piece is between €120,000 and €180,000.

Also from David Roentgen’s workshop is an important mechanical casket, likewise made in Neuwied around 1775. This small but highly complex piece captivates with its elegant form, fine veneer work and sophisticated mechanical functions. A shuttered compartment that rises at the turn of a key, a concealed drawer in the base and the elaborately designed visible sides make the object an impressive example of early modern engineering in miniature form. The estimate for the casket is in the range of €25,000 to €35,000.

Among the outstanding silver pieces in the auction is an important rosewater bowl made for the Counts of Preysing of Munich, created by the Augsburg master Johann Erhard II Heuglin between 1724 and 1728. This large gilded bowl is notable for its rich Régence decoration, the engraved and relief medallions, and the sculpted central panel depicting Neptune and Amphitrite. The estimate is between €60,000 and €70,000.

In addition, the modern silver section features the second part of the Seawolf Collection. Among these Arts & Crafts treasures are, for example, a silver lidded box with enamel and turquoise by Liberty & Co. from 1899, attributed to Oliver Baker (estimate: €1,800–2,400), a pepper shaker by Charles Robert Ashbee, created in 1900 for the Guild of Handicrafts, and a double-stranded garland necklace with amethysts by Archibald Knox, estimated at €1,200 to €1,500.

Textile art is also represented by exceptional works from a North German family collection, which survived the war in a Viennese bank vault. The Brussels tapestry "The Judgement of Paris", dating from the second half of the 16th century, captivates with its narrative structure and its excellent state of preservation, with colours that have stood the test of time. An important late-Gothic tapestry fragment depicting a courtly scene in a throne room is also well worth a visit to Cologne. Both works are estimated at between €15,000 and €20,000.

Another highlight is the collection of European bronze mortars amassed over decades by the "Pope of Mortars" Ralf Jena, parts of which are being offered at auction for the first time. Among the selected pieces is a Saxon mortar made for Baron Woldemar von Löwendal, Court Marshal and Minister of the Electorate of Saxony, from the workshop of Michael Weinhold, dated 1718, with an estimated price of €8,000 to €12,000.

Two ceramic pieces by Dame Lucie Rie are being offered in the modern decorative arts section. They come from the former collection of Henry Rothschild. The Viennese-born ceramicist had to start afresh in London under difficult circumstances after fleeing in 1938. Initially classified as an ‘enemy alien’ due to her Austrian nationality, she earned a living by making ceramic buttons. At the same time, she continued to develop her own formal language, which soon established her as one of the most significant figures in British studio ceramics. Henry Rothschild was among her early patrons. The vase and bowl by Lucie Rie now on offer at Lempertz are notable for the interplay of form, surface and glaze that is characteristic of her work. At the same time, they bear witness to their outstanding provenance and the close connection between the artist and the collector. Both works were previously on display in 1981 in the exhibition "English Ceramics and Woodwork" at the Veste Coburg, where they were acquired by the current owner from the collection of Henry Rothschild.

The porcelain collection of Edwin Reis, who was born in Heidelberg in 1871 and has now returned from Argentina, also has a fascinating history; its restitution was recognised by the courts in 1950. The textile manufacturer managed to escape the Nazis on several occasions; in 1941, an auction of his confiscated porcelain collection was held on behalf of the German Reich. Edwin Reis was captured time and again, but he survived and returned to Heidelberg in 1946. The highlight of the porcelain on offer is a selection of rare figurines from the Frankenthal manufactory, including a barefoot young gentleman and his counterpart, a barefoot young lady, each with an estimated value of €2,000 to €3,000.

Jan Bykowski
Press and PR
bykowski@lempertz.com
Tel. 0049 (0)221 925729 -57