New world records for Birger Carlstedt and Tove Jansson at Helsinki Spring Sale
Birger Carlstedt (sold for 135 956 €), Alexaner Calder (sold for 115 829 €), Tove Jansson (sold for 52 226 €).
Bukowskis' Helsinki Spring Sale was closed successfully on Sunday evening. All departments achieved high final prices and attracted bidders from 35 countries. The strong results once again demonstrate the strength of the art market and Bukowskis’ ability to respond and adapt to its customers’ changing demands during these challenging circumstances.
The top lot of the evening was Nicolai Konstantinovitch Roerich magnificent work, which after intense bidding reached a final price of 221 963 €. The sale also set new world records for the Finnish artists Birger Carlstedt and Tove Jansson. The large abstract painting by Carlstedt sold for 135 956 € and Tove Jansson’s still life realized 52 226 €.
Other notable highlights were “The first snow” by Pekka Halonen that sold for 88 445 € and a unique bracelet by Alexander Calder from the collection of Maire Gullichsen. The bracelet surpassed its estimate of 25 000 – 35 000 € and sold for an amazing final price of 115 829 €.
“Our modern art department achieved fantastic results. Calder’s unique bracelet attracted a lot of national and international interest, it was exciting to follow the intense bidding during the last five minutes. We set new auction records for both Birger Carlstedt and Tove Jansson. The international interest for both artists has increased their price levels significantly”, says Laura Pohjola, modern art specialist.
"The strong result once again proves the significance of the old wisdom that there is always a demand for quality, regardless of global challenges or fluctuations in the economy. Strong classical works find buyers in all age groups and it is obvious that collectors are especially alert when extremely unique paintings are for sale. A good example is Pekka Halonen's ”The first snow”, which was now for sale at the market for the first time in its 118 years history. The global and intense interest for the Russian painter and philosopher Nicolai Roerich's work ”Cottage in twilight” showed the efficiency and diversity of our marketing channels", says Johan Wulff, classical art specialist.
