The individual departments achieved diverse national and international record prices, and acquired many new collectors, particularly from overseas, alongside the long-term clients. One great result was for two panels by Matteo Giovannetti depicting Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Anthony the Great, selling for 2.7 million Euro, the highest price realised for an Old Master on the German market this year. The panels once belonged to an altar which, after extensive research, Lempertz is now able to reconstruct. In addition, with 7.1 million Euro, the auction of Contemporary Art was the most successful of its kind in the history of the house, and the Asian Art auction also had one of its best ever auctions with 4.1 million Euro.
2014 was a very eventful year for Lempertz. Auctions have been held by Lempertz in Brussels since 1849, but the spectacular sale of the Soviet space capsule for 1.26 million Euro in the Spring was certainly a fitting inauguration celebration for the opening of the new space in the Rue du Grand Cerf. Designed by the Art-Nouveau architect Jules Barbier, the building houses an impressive 9m high room of museum-like dimensions. This is the only remaining example of its kind, and the elaborate restauration took two years to complete ahead of the opening.
Alongside this, Lempertz has also expanded to Italy with a representative now in Milan, widening its presence in the European market. Furthermore, Lempertz worked together with the French house Artcurial on two occasions this year, with great results: the joint Jewellery and Fine Watches Auction in July in Monaco reached a sensational 14 million Euro, whilst the Africa Auction this week in Paris, featuring the important Luba & Ernesto Wolf Collection was also extremely successful. The next Lempertz Africa Auction will take place on 27 January 2015 in Brussels.
Lempertz has also developed digitally and the new internet site now offers the possibility to create your individual profile in the Log-In stage with MyLempertz. The major expansion of the internet platform has had a significant impact: never before has Lempertz had so many online bidders, at times bidding up to six-figure sums.
After such an outstanding year, we look forward to 2015 with even greater excitement. Consignments for the next auctions are now welcome. Please do not hesitate to contact us – with us, you and your art are in the best hands.