Meissen Porcelain Prices Surge, Nearly Doubling Pre-Sale Estimates

The first part of the illustrious collection of 18th-century Meissen porcelain sculptures, previously owned by the late German businessman and passionate collector Hadrian Merkle, was auctioned yesterday, April 17, 2024, at Bonhams in Paris. This 55-lot sale fetched an impressive €948,450, significantly surpassing its pre-sale high estimate of €594,800, highlighting the enduring allure and value of Meissen porcelain.

Sebastian Kuhn, Head of Continental Ceramics at Bonhams, expressed his satisfaction with the auction’s outcome. “We are delighted with the results of the sale. This exciting collection included some of the rarest and finest examples of late-Baroque small-scale sculpture and offered a tantalizing and unique glimpse of the world seen through 18th-century eyes,” Kuhn remarked.

The fierce bidding, which took place both in the auction room and via telephone and online, saw many items selling well above their estimates.

The highlight of the auction was an extraordinarily rare Meissen group of lovers with a birdcage, which sold for €171,850, more than quadrupling its low estimate. This piece, first documented in the work records of J.J. Kaendler in March 1741, captivated bidders with its historical significance and intricate craftsmanship.

A very rare Meissen group of lovers with a birdcage, circa 1745, modelled by J.J. Kaendler. Sold for €171,850 against an estimate of €40,000-60,000 © Bonhams

Another standout item was a rare Meissen crinoline figure of a lady from around 1737, which fetched €127,400, exceeding its low estimate by over six times. This statuette, also modeled by Kaendler and once part of Mrs. Charles E. Dunlap’s collection, is considered one of Kaendler’s most exquisite early sculptures, first appearing in his work records in December 1736.

A very rare Meissen crinoline figure of a lady, circa 1737. Sold for €127,400 against an estimate of €20,000-30,000 © Bonhams

In the 18th century, porcelain figures and groups were essential elements of table culture at European courts. The discovery of hard-paste porcelain at Meissen around 1710 revolutionized table settings, replacing sugar sculptures with more durable and artistically versatile porcelain that could be painted and gilded. These elaborate table sculptures not only symbolized the beauty and grandeur of the courts but also served as sophisticated conversation starters and diversions from the formal court etiquette.

The genius behind many of these creations, Johann Joachim Kaendler, became a modeller at the Meissen factory in 1731. Kaendler, a student of the Dresden court sculptor Benjamin Thomae, harnessed the potential of the new material, producing a remarkable body of work.

Over four decades, he created a diverse array of figures depicting court members, Commedia dell’Arte actors, musicians, tradesmen, allegorical figures, street criers, and representatives from various nationalities, as well as pastoral figures, villagers, and beggars. Kaendler’s creations are celebrated as masterpieces of late-Baroque and Rococo sculpture.

Other notable sales from the auction included a rare Meissen group of Pantalone and Columbine from around 1738, which sold for €82,950, against an estimate of €40,000-60,000. Additionally, a rare Meissen masonic crinoline group of lovers, circa 1745, garnered €75,330, surpassing its pre-sale estimate of €40,000-60,000. This piece, also modeled by Kaendler, was previously owned by the renowned Swiss collector Paul Schnyder von Wartensee.

A rare Meissen masonic crinoline group of lovers, circa 1745. Sold for €75,330 against an estimate of €40,000-60,000 © Bonhams

Furthermore, a large Meissen vase from around 1730, painted in the Kakiemon style, sold for €61,360, exceeding its estimate of €20,000-30,000. This vase was part of the collection of Heinrich Graf von Brühl, the influential Prime Minister of Saxony and Director of the Meissen manufactory.

A rare large Meissen vase, circa 1730 painted in Kakiemon style. Sold for €61,360 against an estimate of €20,000-30,000 © Bonhams

Hadrian Maria Oskar Merkle (1942-2018), born in Nuremberg, was a successful businessman in the transport industry and a distinguished collector. Art and culture provided a refuge from his professional life, and he was actively involved in numerous museum associations, including the Gesellschaft der Keramikfreunde (Keramos), a prestigious society devoted to ceramics.

Merkle’s passion for porcelain was matched by his love for opera and fine dining, making him a regular attendee of the Mozartfestspiele in Würzburg and Salzburg. His children recall their home filled with art, a testament to Merkle’s keen eye for exceptional pieces and his profound appreciation for Meissen porcelain.

Following the success of this initial auction, the next segment of The Merkle Collection will be auctioned on October 31, 2024, at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris, focusing on the Commedia dell’Arte. Further auctions featuring works from the Merkle Collection are scheduled for Spring 2025, promising more opportunities for collectors to acquire pieces from this remarkable collection.

The fierce bidding, which took place both in the auction room and via telephone and online, saw many items selling well above their estimates.

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