A MODERN SUCCESS STORY
The first auction of the season, Modern, has just ended at Berns. The auction room was packed with bidders. There was particular interest in Inge Schiöler’s 1968 Coastal Landscape from Koster, Lucio Fontana’s Concetto Spaziale and Lennart Rodhe’s Contrasts II, which saw a new record sale price of SEK 989,000 being set for the artist. The high prices achieved for Swedish and international modernist pieces confirm that the market is experiencing stable growth. The recall rate within the segment is extremely low. Another trend evidenced at the auction is the growing demand for sculptures: Eric Grate’s Polyphemus and Esox Flame II are two examples that are highly representative of both demand and the high quality and originality demonstrated by Swedish modernist sculpture.
Two collections were sold during the evening, Folke & Sigrid Isacson’s collection and the first part of The Estate of a Private Collector, achieving excellent results. More modernist masterpieces will be on sale at the December auction.
Modern art specialist Lena Rydén:
“The atmosphere in the packed auction room was fantastic, and I’m delighted that Christian Berg’s Monumental Figure II and Otto G Carlsund’s Decorative Composition achieved such high prices. The bidding on Lucio Fontana’s Concetto Spaziale typified the unique charm of participating in an auction: The atmosphere was intense, and there were many international buyers present. It is clear that quality pieces with good provenance remain highly attractive in the current market.”
CEO Louise Arén:
“This autumn’s Modern auction was defined by strong collections, and there was an undeniably high level of interest. There were physical, online and telephone bidders, confirming our impression of the auction market: This is a market undergoing rapid change, so it’s a matter of meeting the needs of sellers and buyers wherever they are. Selling a collection shows particular confidence in an auction house, as it involves close cooperation between specialists and vendors.”
MORE MODERN PIECES AT OUR DECEMBER AUCTION
Welcome to the stand-out auction of the season: December auction + Asian.
The auction will include pieces covering all periods and genres.
A number of modern masterpieces have already been confirmed, including Otto G Carlsund’s legendary Cinema Suite.
The viewing will take place on 6-12 December at our newly renovated premises in Berzelii Park, Stockholm, with the auction itself being held on 13-14 December.
NÅGRA EXEMPEL FRÅN AUKTIONEN:
