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De Wit Fine Tapestries
After David Teniers II The Fish Quay–Return of Fishermen Brussels, 1725-1750 Wool and silk 264 x 390 cm Celebrated for their lively depictions of rural life, sets of tapestries inspired by the famous peasant scenes of David Teniers II (1610–1690) formed some of the most popular tapestry series in late 17th- and early 18th-centuries. Their extraordinary appeal is reflected in the sheer number of workshops that produced them. In Brussels alone, seven ateliers wove this distinctly Flemish genre, while so-called Teniers tapestries were also produced in other European centres such as Amsterdam, Aubusson, Beauvais, Lille, London, Madrid, and Oudenaarde. Owing to this widespread production and the enduring commercial success of the genre, attributing individual designs can often be challenging. The present example, however, belongs to a distinguished series that laid the foundation for the genre and was designed by David Teniers II himself. Description The tapestry depicts a bustling quay where fishermen unload and sort their catch. On the left, a boat carrying five men arrives, still hauling in its nets, while one fisherman on the bow hands a line to a man standing at the end of the quay. In the foreground, a fisherman empties a barrel of fish and shellfish, while three men nearby appear to be negotiating. Further along the quay, another sorts his catch, two men converse, and a man leans casually on a donkey. Behind them, a figure with his back turned adds a touch of unvarnished realism. In the background, a bay stretches out, framed by a wooded coast to the left and a fortified structure to the right, complete with patrolling figures and a tall, three-tiered tower. Through the central passageway, two additional boats are visible. One hauling in its nets, the other lowering its mast. Attribution The Fish Quay was executed in the Brussels workshop of Hieronymus Le Clerc (1643-1722) or that of his associate Gaspar van der Borcht (1675-1742). Several editions of the scene are known, some bearing the signature of one of these associated tapissiers: Le Clerc or Van der Borcht’s Latinized form, A Castro. A now-lost edition formerly in Dresden bore Van der Borcht’s signature along with an extensive inscription identifying David Teniers II – the court painter to Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria (1614-1662) and Don John Joseph of Austria (1629-1679), governors of the Southern Netherlands from 1648 to 1656 and 1656 to 1658 respectively – as the designer. Teniers is also cited as the designer in a 1701 archival document recording that Le Clerc and Van der Borcht sold a six-part edition of the series, including a tapestry described as “un port de mer, où l’on pesche le poisson” (a seaport, where fish are caught). Dating the collaborative production of this particular example is difficult. The earliest known editions of the series were likely produced in the 1680s, with production continuing until Le Clerc’s death in 1722. The Fish Quay lacks the usual outer border, suggesting it was intended for mounting on wainscoting.
unforget Decorative Arts
ado chale
Ado Chale (Brussels, 1928-2025) Dining table, circa 1970 Resin top inlaid with carnelian agate stones H 71.5 cm - Ø 173 cm This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Ado Chale This table features a backlit tabletop that enhances its sculptural presence and creates a refined play of light and shadow.
Almine Rech
tom wesselmann
Tom Wesselmann (USA, Ohio 1931-2004 New York) 'Smoker Study (For Smoker #11)', 1972 Oil on canvas 29.2 x 29.2 cm 46.4 x 46.4 x 3.8 cm (framed) Examined by the WPI's Wesselmann committee on 13 December 2023, for inclusion in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné Provenance: estate of the artist Courtesy of the Estate of Tom Wesselmann and Almine Rech / Photo: Thomas Barratt Smoker Study (For Smoker #11), 1972 belongs to Tom Wesselmann’s Smoker series, which the artist began in 1967. Born out of a desire to isolate and further investigate the representation of lips and the act of smoking, the Smoker series also found its origin in advertising, and stands as testament to the major role Wesselmann occupied in the birth and development of the Pop aesthetic. Today, Wesselmann’s Smoker paintings are among his most renowned works. The series began with Smoker, 1 (Mouth, 12), 1967, which is now held in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Wesselmann found photography to be a useful medium to capture his models in poses he would later translate to larger scale works. On one occasion, his friend Peggy Sarno lit a cigarette during a modeling session. Wesselmann took some photographs of her as she inhaled, still posing in a reclined position. This moment inspired the Smoker series, which is characterised by the presence of vivid red lips juxtaposed with curling white smoke. Smoker Study (For Smoker #11) is both bold and intimate, capturing a single moment of pleasure in a complex and ambitious composition indicative of the artist’s experimentation with subject, form, and color. In mid-century America, cigarette advertisements were incredibly elaborate, among the most sophisticated forms of marketing. As well as standing as an example of Wesselmann’s fascination with popular culture and the female body, Smoker Study (For Smoker #11) also demonstrates the artist’s mastery of oil paint, attention to detail, and sophisticated compositional style. In the 1960s, Wesselmann had been developing his Great American Nudes series when he was inspired to focus on specific details of female figures. In an almost fetishistic act, he started isolating elements of the female figure, creating smaller preparatory pieces as well as larger scale works depicting hands, breasts, and lips. Out of this approach his Mouth paintings and Smoker Series, works such as Smoker Study (For Smoker #11) were born. Tom Wesselmann (1931–2004) was one of the leading American Pop artists of the mid-20th Century. Departing from Abstract Expressionism, he explored classical representations of the nude, still life, and landscape, while incorporating everyday objects and advertising ephemera. Wesselmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 23, 1931. He attended Hiram College in Ohio from 1949 to 1951 before entering the University of Cincinnati. In 1953, his studies were interrupted by a two-year enlistment in the army, during which time he began drawing cartoons. He returned to the university in 1954 and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1956. During this time, he decided to pursue a career in cartooning and enrolled at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. After graduation he moved to New York City, where he was accepted into the Cooper Union and where his focus shifted dramatically to fine art.
Stone Gallery
Quartz crystal cluster Weight: 350 kg 87 x 135 x 75 cm Origin: quarries of Mount Ida, Arkansas, USA, discovered in 1993 Provenance: Paul Membrini collection until 2023 Rock crystal is the crystallised, colourless variety of quartz, also known as clear quartz. All the crystals with their countless facets are 100% natural. With its transparent and colourless appearance, it is revered for its purity and clarity. This giant group of quartz crystals weighs approximately 350kg and is 87 x 135 x 75 cm. It displays remarkably perfect and water-clear crystals on all sides. Discovered in one of the famous crystal quarries of Mount Ida, Arkansas, USA, in 1993. The piece was once part of the Membrini Collection from Switzerland, a phenomenal museum-quality crystal collection, meticulously assembled over the years by Membrini Kristall, a firm based in Chur, Switzerland. Founder Paul Membrini was a renowned “strahler,” a professional crystal hunter who explored the Alps. Stone Gallery acquired the Membrini Collection in early 2023. Martin Garrix Stone Gallery proudly announces that the larger sibling of this piece, a great cluster weighing an impressive 4500 lbs, is now on display at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, in part thanks to Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.
Finch & Co
Turned standing cup and cover on knopped foot Germany, late Renaissance, first half 17th century Rhinoceros horn and ivory, old smooth patina, age cracks to foot H 33 cm - Ø 11 cm Belgium CITES: 2025/BE01678/CE Provenance: Finch and Co, item n° 77, catalogue n° 20, summer 2013; private collection Comparative literature: a cup and cover of similar shape engraved with the inscription ‘the exalted Roman Emperor Rudolf II’s goblet which protects against poison – the unconquerable Emperor’s hand shaped this ingenious goblet’ D 406.766 / 339 Royal Danish Kunstkammer, Copenhagen, National Museum A fine and large late Renaissance turned standing cup and cover on knopped foot of impressive size The Milanese master instructor of turning Giovanni Ambrogio Maggiore visited Bavaria on various occasions between 1574 and 1593 to teach the Duke Wilhelm this newly invented form of art, creating marvellous objects from natural substances. Maggiore also trained the artist Georg Wecker who went on to become Dresden’s ‘court turner for life’ to the elector Augustus of Saxony in 1578. Regarded at the time as a form of advanced mechanical technology, the art of turning in ivory, ebony and rhinoceros horn became a princely pastime for ‘Drechselnder souverän’. Rhinoceros horn objects were regarded as items of great rarity and prestige in Renaissance Europe, but they had been seen as objects of great value with inherent magical properties for well over one thousand years before this time in China, and by the early 17th century Chinese cups and vessels of carved rhino horn were being exported to Europe to meet the demand for exotic curiosities for the cabinets of wealthy collectors.
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Van Pruissen Asian Art
tokuda yasokichi iii
Tokuda Yasokichi III alias Kutani Masahiko (Japan, 1933-2009) Porcelain vase Japan, late 20th century H 29.5 cm Signed ‘Kutani Masahiko’ on the base Literature: Yosai - Tokuda Yasokichi Sakuhinshu (The works of Tokuda Yasokichi), Kodansha 1995, Japan This elegant Kutani porcelain vase by Tokuda Yasokichi III - designated a Living National Treasure in 1997 - exemplifies his groundbreaking approach to traditional ceramic art. The slender, tapering body is enveloped in a rich aubergine glaze, punctuated by a single iridescent blue stripe flowing vertically from the mouth to the base. This striking effect was created using Yasokichi’s innovative saiyū (polychrome overglaze) technique, which brought new luminosity and abstraction to Kutani ware. Born Masahiko, Yasokichi III redefined the possibilities of Kutani ceramics, elevating them into a modern art form. Today, his works are held in leading international museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.
Galerie Flak
Hemba ancestor figure Singiti (commemorative portrait of a chief) Democratic Republic of Congo-Upper Congo River 19th century or early 20th century Carved wood H 86.5 cm Provenance: Mia van Bussel collection, Amsterdam; Kevin Conru collection, Brussels; Adrian Schlag collection, Brussels; Guilhem Montagut collection, Barcelona Literature: Lexikon der Afrikanischen Kunst, Karl-Ferdinand Schaedler, Munich, 1994, p. 242
Martos Gallery
keith haring
Keith Haring (USA, Pennsylvania 1958-1990 New York) Untitled, May 23, 1981 Marker on plastic 53.3 x 57.3 cm Provenance: Ellen Meyer collection, acquired directly from the artist; New York; Christie’s Auction, 1 May 1991, lot 313; private collection, Italy; Martos Gallery, New York Exhibition: Keith Haring: Surface to Air, Martos Gallery, New York, 6 May–25 July 2025
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Galerie Perrin
walter sauer
Walter Sauer (Brussels 1889-1927 Algiers) Pensive woman, circa 1925 Mixed media 78.5 x 61.3 cm Signed upper left 'WS Walter Sauer' Provenance: private collection A unique, elegant style characterises the art of Walter Sauer, an artist who, in his short lifetime, lit up the Belgian art scene in the first twenty years of the twentieth century. Sauer's hand has a sensitivity to form that is characteristic of decorators; reality, in his eyes, is stripped of that which is superfluous, showing the noble essence of form. This essentiality, combined with an absolutely personal technique, makes Sauer's works instantly recognisable. The figure of the woman is the leitmotif of the artist, who combines his vision of the model with a series of cultural references ranging from Japanese art to Western tradition.
Romigioli Antichità
giuseppe piamontini
Giuseppe Piamontini (Florence, 1664-1744) Small Faun playing with a Satyr, 1710 Carrara marble H 79 cm Signed and dated 1710 Provenance: private collection, Florence Literature: Sandro Bellesi, I marmi di Giuseppe Piamontini, ed. Polistampa 2008 Ideal pendant 'Eros and Anteros' at the Money Museum in Palazzo Pitti, Florence
Galerie de la Béraudière
germaine richier
Germaine Richier (France, 1902-1959) Le Couple, 1956 Natural bronze Fonderie Susse, Paris Lost wax cast (except for the base and arms, sand casted) H 139 x W 74.5 x D 74.5 cm Signed and numbered on the terrasse: G. Richier, 3/6 Edition 3/6 out of 11 (1/6 - 6/6 + HC1-HC2-HC3 + EA + 0/6) Posthumous cast: 1963 Provenance: Galerie Creuzevault, Paris; private collection, France; Galerie Cazeau-Béraudière, Paris; private collection, France; private collection, Belgium Literature: Jean-Louis Prat et Françoise Guiter, Germaine Richier, Rétrospective, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Fondation Maeght, 1996, p. 172, ill. (another cast); Maîtres des XIXe et XXe siècles, Galerie H. Odermatt-Ph. Cazeau, Paris, 1989, repr. n° 46; Eddie Wolfram et William Packer, London, art and artist, Londres, juillet 1973, n° 8, pp. 46-49; Germaine Richier, Galerie Creuzevault, Paris, 1966 Exhibitions: 2022, Brussels, Galerie de la Béraudière, Germaine Richier et la couleur (this cast); 1996, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Maeght Fondation, Germaine Richier, Retrospective (another cast); 1957, Paris, Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, XIIIe Salon de Mai, n° 27, ill. (another cast); 1956, Paris, Musée National d'Art Moderne, Germaine Richier, n° 13, referred as 'Figures' (another cast); Jean Cassou, Richier, Editions du Temps, Paris, 1961; René de Solier, Germaine Richier, in Les Cahiers d'art, Paris, June 1953, n° 28, pp. 123-129 With Le Couple, Germaine Richier reached a point of fulfilment in her exploration of the human figure and its metamorphoses. The two figures, united by a skilful interplay of triangles and balances, seem caught in a silent movement where tension becomes harmony. The rigour of the construction is combined with an organic, almost primitive energy that animates the bronze with a vibrant presence. Le Couple embodies this rare alliance between construction and emotion, where the bronze material seems to be animated by a vital breath.
De Jonckheere
lucas van valckenborch
Lucas van Valckenborch (Leuven 1535/6-1597 Frankfurt am Main) The Kermesse of St. George, 1595 Oil on panel 22.5 x 38.5 cm Signed and dated 1595 LVV on the fountain Provenance: collection of Charles Theodore of Bavaria (1724-1799), Elector of the Palatinate and Bavaria, Munich, inv. n° 138 (according to a label in brown ink on the back dating from 1799, n° 138); collection of Maximilian de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg (1835-1852) (fragmentary label); Almas Gallery, Munich, 1941; private collection, South Germany Literature: Pantheon, September 1941, supplement V, repr.; Bernt, Walter, Die niederländischen Maler des 17. Jahrhunderts, Munich, 1948, n° 865 (1960 edition, n° 1216, repr.); Wied, Alexander, Lucas und Marten van Valckenborch. Das Gesamtwerk mit kritischem Oeuvrekatalog, Freren, Luca Verlag, 1990, pp. 176-77, n° 81, repr. Lucas van Valckenborch was undoubtedly introduced to painting by his father Laureys van Valckenborch, before being accepted as a master of the Mechelen painters' guild in 1564. Following the religious persecution inflicted by the Duke of Alba's troops on supporters of the Reformation, he fled the city in 1567 to take refuge in Liège, then in Aachen from 1570 to 1573, where he was reunited with his brother Marten and Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527-1609). He settled temporarily in Antwerp from 1575 to 1577. He was then employed in Brussels by Matthias, the then Governor-General of the Netherlands. In 1581, he accompanied the latter to Austria, staying in Vienna and Prague, as well as in Linz and Nuremberg. As of 1593, he shared his workshop in Frankfurt am Main with his brother Marten; he was granted citizenship on 10 January, 1594, encouraged by Archduke Ernest of Austria (1553-1595). He worked actively in the family workshop until his death in 1597. Considered one of the greatest landscape painters of the 16th century, Lucas van Valckenborch's concept of landscape was derived from Joachim Patinir and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. His very detailed portrayals of the seasons, village kermesses, romantic scenes and townscapes, stand out owing to the meticulous care employed in their execution and the precise structure of the planes leading to the horizon. His panoramic landscapes are a careful observation of the Meuse valley; his anecdotal scenes are painted with the delicacy of a miniaturist, while his landscapes are presented with topographical accuracy. At the end of his life, his deep landscapes with their luminous, refined nuances, bear witness to a creative approach that sought to go beyond the Bruegelian concept, which was never surpassed by his contemporaries.
Victor Werner
carl johan bonnesen
Carl Johan Bonnesen (Aalborg 1868-1933 Copenhagen) African elephant, 1924 Bronze with green patina H 54 x W 78 x D 34 cm Signed and dated CARL J. BONNESEN 1924 Provenance: Professor Karl Meyer, board member of Villadsens Fabrikker; donated Nov. 9th, 1932, to the company director Christian Villadsen and his wife Ingeborg (as inscribed on the base); gifted by Christian Villadsen’s grandson to the previous owner
Galerie des Modernes
max ernst
Max Ernst (Brühl 1891-1976 Paris) Fleur de coquillage, circa 1932 Gouache on paper 23 x 30.7 cm Signed lower right 'max ernst' Certificate of authenticity by Mr. Werner Spies dated 29 November 2007 Provenance: Edward Weston collection, Carmel Highlands; Galerie Tarica, Paris; Galerie Heyram-Mabel Semmler, Paris; Galerie des Modernes, Paris; private collection, France
Franck Anelli Fine Art
Marcellus Coffermans (active in Antwerp, 1549-1578) Deposition of Christ, circa 1570 Oil on panel 32.7 x 21 cm Provenance: anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 15 May 2002, lot 97 (as Marcellus Coffermans); private collection, Europe; from 2020, private collection, California Literature: M. Leeflang, Gemaakt in Antwerpen, bestemd voor Spanje? in Catharijne, Magazine van Museum Catharijneconvent Utrecht 2 (2010), repr. p. 11 Exhibition: Utrecht, Museum het Catherijneconvent, long-term loan, 2010-2020 Marcellus Coffermans deserves credit for bringing together a unique composition, the great deposition and the descent from the cross.
Axel Vervoordt
Jef Verheyen (Belgium, Itegem 1932-1984 Apt, France) Untitled Matt lacquer on round board 100 x 100 cm - Ø 80 cm Provenance: private collection, Belgium; collection Axel Vervoordt, 2003; private collection, Belgium Exhibition: Jef Verheyen, Lux est Lex, Wijnegem, 2004, cat. n° 60, ill. p. 93
Galerie Hurtebize
pierre-auguste renoir
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Limoges 1841-1919 Cagnes-sur-Mer) Composition, Paysages et Fleurs, circa 1910 Oil on canvas 15 x 25.5 cm Initial R bottom left Certificate of authenticity from the Wildenstein Institute n°24.05.29/21585 dated 12 June 2024 Provenance: private collection, France
Galerie Taménaga
marie laurencin
Marie Laurencin (Paris, 1883-1956) Deux fillettes et chien, 1942 Oil on canvas 46 x 55 cm Signed and dated lower left 'Marie Laurencin 1942' Provenance: private collection Literature: Beaux-Arts, Paris, 24-30 July 1952; Daniel Marchesseau, Marie Laurencin, Catalogue raisonné de l'œuvre peint, Tokyo: Marie Laurencin Museum, 1986, vol. I, n° 804, repr. p. 327
Claes Gallery
Reliquary Figure 'Mbulu-ngulu' Kota Kota-Obamba People Gabon, presumed late 19th-early 20th century Wood, copper and brass H 43 cm Provenance: private collection, Los Angeles, until 1979; private collection, Geneva Literature: L’Art Kota. Les figures de reliquaire, Chaffin, Meudon, 1979, pp. 234-235, fig. 133 (written height: 43.5 cm)