Koller View 3/18

Among the more than 300 lots of furniture, clocks, sculptureanddecorativearts in theFine Furniture auction on 27 September is an ele- gant and spectacular double-globe clock cre- ated by Philipp Matthäus Hahn (1739–1790) in Echterdingen, Germany in the second half of the 18 th century (ill. 2). A brilliant example of the fascination with complicated mechanisms exhibited by many monarchs of the time, in- cluding the French king Louis XVI, the clock can be seen as an expression of Enlightenment themes. The desire to understand the work- ings of the entire universe is illustrated by the presence of both a terrestrial and a celestial globe. It also represents the need to advance knowledge, research and learning ever fur- ther; it is significant that the movement of this double clock, rather than hidden inside a clock case, is visible behind glass, allowing all a view into its intricate workings. The ebonised vitrine for this chronometer, which has been in a pri- vate collection for decades, is attributable to Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret (1767–1845). Another outstanding piece is an important bibliothèque en armoire veneered with tor- toiseshell and brass Boulle marquetry, created during the first quarter of the 18 th century (ill. 3). Itsmaker, themaster craftsmanNicolas Sa- geot (1666 –1731), counted among his clients Parisian collectors, members of the French aristocracy, Maximilian II, elector of Bavaria, as well as the Swedish royal court. Although the forms and dimensions of Sageot’s cabinets and bookcases varied widely, his elaborate marquetry remained nearly identical from one work to another. This allows for a firm attri- bution of even unsigned pieces – such as the one offered here – to Sageot’s oeuvre. Sageot employed a large variety of ormolumounts ac- cording to the individual desires of his clientele. The present piece displays mounts from the workshop of renowned cabinetmaker André- Charles Boulle (1642–1732) alongside lat- er examples from the 18 th and 19 th centuries. With the exception of the very few pieces which remain in private hands, the majority of Sageot’s works are found in important muse- ums such as the Musée National du Château de Versailles, the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris, the Bayerischen Nationalmuseum in Munich, and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. A pair of Chinese porcelain vases and covers from circa 1700 with Parisian ormolu mounts from 1760/65 (ill. 1) likewise boasts an impor- tant provenance: they were formerly in the remarkable collection of the French-Iranian connoisseur Djahanguir Riahi. Another highlight is a lacquer fall-front sec- retary by Léonard Boudin (1735 –1807), exe­ cuted in Paris during the period of 1760/65. An extraordinary piece of furniture, it is veneered overall with Coromandel lacquer panels. This type of lacquer has its roots in the late Ming Dynasty, and combines the arts of lacquer and carving in a technique that involves the pains- taking application of coat upon coat of lacquer in various colours, followed by selective carv- ing through the layers to create a polychrome, multi-dimensional scene – in this case, figures in an idealised landscape with gardens and pa- godas. Preview of the Fine Furniture auction on 27 September 2018 A Certain Fascination with the Universe 1 A pair of Louis XVI ormolu-mounted porcelain vases. The porcelain China, Kangxi circa 1700, the bronze mounts Paris, circa 1765 /75. H 40.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 100 000 /200 000 2 A Louis XVI double globe clock by Philipp Mathhäus Hahn, the glazed case possibly by Nikolas Friedrich von Thouret, Echterdingen, circa 1785. 39.5×20×40.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 250 000 /450 000 3 A Louis XIV Boulle marquetry armoire by Nicolas Sageot. Paris circa 1715 /25. 150×55×257 cm. Estimate: CHF 250 000/450 000 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION FINE FURNITURE Luca Raschèr rascher@kollerauctions.com MEDIEVAL SCULPTURE Stephan Koller skoller@kollerauctions.com ONLINE CATALOGUES www.kollerauctions.com 1 2 6