Historical auction at Bukowskis – Auction records for Carl Larsson & Carl Milles

New world record when Carl Larsson's elegant composition "Syende flicka" / "Anna S." was sold during Bukowskis evening auction for the staggering price of SEK 12 480 000. Another highlight was the iconic motif "The Waltz", painted by Anders Zorn in 1890. A masterpiece that attracted much attention before the auction and became the evening's first lot exceeding one million SEK with a final price of SEK 8 820 000.

– Once again, Bukowskis shows strength in selling the best of the best from leading Swedish artists from the turn of the century. Carl Larsson's idyllic Syende Flicka is a magnificent watercolour from one of our greatest masters whose work tonight sold for a new record price for the artist, says Andreas Rydén, Head Specialist Art.

The department for works of art and furniture offered several highlights during the evening. A common thread among the highlights was an exciting provenance. Unique to this season's anniversary auction was also the exceptionally large and high-quality range of gilded bronzes.

– The wonderful candelabras in gilded and patinated bronze from Imperial Paris was the highlight of the department of works of art, as they achieved a final price of SEK 245,000. Magnificent in size and of the best quality, they are both sculptural and useful — Combines the best of both worlds, says Björn Extergren, Head of Consignment & Sales.

The most prominent works in the sculpture department were two impressive wild boars by Carl Milles in green-patinated bronze. After intense bidding, the magnificent sculptures were hammered for SEK 3 300 000 (final price SEK 4 126 850). Also, this result is a new record in Swedish auction history.

— The wild boar reappears in Carl Milles art from time to time. Milles was inspired by an ancient mythological world of fairy tales which runs like a common thread throughout his art. He is one of the greatest animal sculptors of modern times, and he was particularly fond of the large wild animals such as the elephant, the bear and the wild boar. Many of us have seen an identical composition, the royal pair of wild boars that have stood in Ulriksdals Slottspark since 1937. It is unique that something like this comes out on the private market and we are very happy about the fine record, says Lisa Gartz, Specialist Sculpture and Old Masters.