KOLLER VIEW 01/26

pre view. 02 9 The large-format ‘Still Life with Celestial Globe’ by the Flemish painter Carstian Luyckx unites 17 th -century symbols that would have been readily understood by contemporary viewers. The meticulously painted an- imals and shells represent the natural sciences; the celestial globe stands for astronomy; the open book symbolises the visual arts and literature. The painting also alludes to significant personalities: alongside the constellations, the globe bears a portrait of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, while the book page shows an engraved reproduction of Titian’s celebrated por- trait of Laura Dianti. The second part of the sale of the Embden Collection includes a South German cabinet with elaborate ivory inlay, dating from the second half of the 16 th century. The heraldic figures on the narrow pilasters derive from the Nuremberg artist Virgil Solis (1514–1562), who dedicated a series of nine engravings to histori- cal, biblical and mythological heroes. Depicted on the cabinet are Julius Caesar, Godfrey of Bouillon, Alexan- der the Great, Charlemagne, King David, King Arthur and Joshua. On the reverse appear Judas Maccabeus, an unidentified ruler and Hector. The central inlaid equestrian figures, representing a king and a lady, resemble plaques in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, considered German works from circa 1560–1599 and likely once part of a cabinet. The dense ornamentation with arabesques, scroll- Ornament and symbol Preview of theWorks of Art and OldMaster Paintings &Drawings auctions on 26 and 27March 2026 1 Carstian Luyckx (1623 – after 1658). Still Life with Celestial Globe. Oil on canvas. 98.5 × 95.2 cm. Estimate: CHF 25 000/35 000 2 Cabinet. South Germany, second half 16 th century. Wood, partly ebonised, with ivory inlay. 45 × 33 × 38.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 30 000/50 000 This object with ivory inlay may be viewed exclusively at Koller’s Munich office. work and interlace, together with the closely related figural representations, indicate a close connection with our cabinet. 3 For further information Old Master Paintings Karoline Weser weser@kollerauctions.com Works of Art & Decorative Arts Stephan Koller skoller@kollerauctions.com Online Catalogues www.kollerauctions.com 3 Timoteo Viti (1469–1523). Three Men. Pen on paper. 13.2 × 18.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 10 000/15 000 2