Review 2025

14 OLDMASTERS IN THE BEST OF HANDS Works of art that are centuries old of- ten have complex histories; their ori- gins are not always preserved in full. Paintings on copper, panel or canvas confront us as quiet witnesses to the past. While certain aspects of their history may have been lost, their value Antoine de Lonhy. The Archangel Michael. Oil, tempera and gold ground on panel, 103.8 × 44.4 cm. Sold for CHF 210 000 to Ireland Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder Bouquet of flowers in a Roemer glass set within a niche, c. 1620. Oil on copper, 26.3 × 17.1 cm. Sold for CHF 865 000 to the USA as historical documents continues to grow. In an auction house, unexpect- ed encounters with artworks often occur – discoveries in the truest sense of the word. What may initially appear modest can, upon closer examination and scholarly assessment, reveal itself to be a work of great significance. Our specialists frequently come across artworks that have remained in family ownership for generations and have long been absent from public view. Koller draws on a broad range of ex- pertise to research works of art and to reconstruct their origins and histories. Art-historical research plays a central role in this process, while technologi- cal aspects are becoming increasingly important, for example in the analysis of pigments, supports or historical frames. We also work closely with in- ternational specialists to examine and confirm attributions. In addition, Koller is committed to the conservation of consigned works, ensuring that buyers are offered objects in the best possi- ble condition. Considerable resources are likewise devoted to clarifying often complex provenance histories span- ning several centuries. Naturally, the Art Loss Register and other specialist institutions are consulted to clarify the journey of a painting or sculpture. In 2025, Koller was once again able to offer numerous high-calibre Old Mas- ter works. One example is the flower still life with a Roemer glass by Ambro- sius Bosschaert the Elder, formerly in aristocratic ownership (cont. p. 16).