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Michael Kovacek
+43 1 532 42 00
office@imkinsky.com
Sabine Hofer
+43 1 532 42 00-19
hofer@imkinsky.com
Antiques – the cabinet of curiosities of the past
The Antiques department at the auction house im Kinsky encompasses a wide variety of types of artistic handicrafts from antiquity to 1900. The offerings provide a glimpse into the cabinet of curiosities of the past, from ostentatious dinner services, exquisite porcelain, and precious religious artefacts to simple glass objects from Europe’s first glassworks and highly imaginative creations of folk art.
Unique antiques
The auction house im Kinsky has always been a place to acquire very special and one-of-a-kind items, such as the mummy portrait from Egypt’s Faiyum Oasis that fetched € 170,000, or the 11th-century Byzantine stirrup, which changed hands for € 150,000. But there are plenty of surprises in store in the Antiques department as well. In 2020, for example, the puppets “Henry VIII” and “Elizabeth I” drove the bidding up to a lofty € 210,000.
Classic antiques that are perennial favourites include the superbly designed glasses of Anton Kothgasser—his “Ranftbecher Melk Abbey” attained a winning bid of € 40,000—and Haban ceramics, which can sell for as much as € 20,000. Splendid cutlery and opulent candleholders complete the table settings.
Expert knowledge and passion are required when it comes to the magnificent wooden sculptures that regularly go under the hammer at the auction house. But even the untrained eye can recognise the quality of the objects on offer in their fine craftmanship and often luminous settings. Michel Erhart’s sculpture of the Madonna with child, for example, achieved €100,000.
Timepieces also occupy a special position in the offerings of the Antiques department. The great variety of execution, from playful to classic, have captivated many a collector in the past, with the result that im Kinsky has built up a substantial circle of potential buyers for these objects.
It is of utmost importance to us to meet our high quality standards and your expectations. For this reason, we place great emphasis on extensive research and always take into consideration the latest research findings. Our professional consultation includes a thorough examination of the material, knowledge of the various stamps and hallmarks, and meticulous research with regard to style and provenance.
An exclusive selection at a glance
Lorenzo Bartolini
“Krautstrunk” glass
Guild goblet “Bakers”
Arthur Strasser
Heinrich Schwanhardt
Tapestry
Baroque hall cupboard
Cutlery