Rothberger Collection 100% Sold at Bonhams Fine Ceramics Sale in London

An important documentary Du Paquier two-handled ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1735-40
Fine European Ceramics Including the Heinrich Rothberger Collection
3 Dec 2020
London, New Bond Street
An important documentary Du Paquier two-handled ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1735-40
The Heinrich Rothberger Collection, featuring an impressive selection of fine antique porcelain – stolen by the Nazis in 1938 and only returned to the family from 2003 onwards – was 100% sold at Bonhams' Fine European Ceramics sale in London on Thursday 3 December. One of the highlights of the sale was an extremely rare Vienna model of an elephant, circa 1750, which sold for £121,500 against an estimate of £10,000-15,000. The 26-lot collection made a total of £979,309.

Other highlights of the collection included:
• A Du Paquier food warmer and cover, circa 1730. Sold for £169,000. Estimate: £50,000-70,000.
• A Du Paquier Tobacco Box and Cover, Circa 1730. Sold for £112,750. Estimate: £20,000-30,000.
• An Important Documentary Du Paquier Two-Handled Ecuelle, Cover and Stand, Circa 1735-10. Sold for £112,750. Estimate: £100,000-150,000.
• A Du Paquier Armorial Vase, Circa 1730-35. Sold for £106,500. Estimate: £60,000-80,000.
• A Du Paquier Bourdaloue, Circa 1735. Sold for £106,500. Estimate: £30,000-50,000.

Bonhams Director of European Ceramics, Sebastian Kuhn, said; "Heinrich Rothberger had a wonderful appreciation of Viennese porcelain and assembled an astonishing collection. The long struggle to obtain restitution is an all too familiar story, yet this at least is one which has a very positive outcome. The appearance on the market of these remarkable pieces clearly excited collectors, and we are very pleased they achieved such impressive results – with many far exceeding their estimates."

All lots were acquired by either museums, institutions, or important private collections, with important pieces now finding a new home at The Princely Collections, Liechtenstein.

Click here to read Philippe Sands' piece about the Rothberger Collection in Bonhams Magazine

The 213-lot Fine European Ceramics Sale as a whole made a total of £1,703,153

An Extremely Rare Vienna Model of an Elephant, Circa 1750. Sold for £121,500. Estimate: £10,000-15,000.

Other highlights of the Fine European Ceramics Sale included:

• A Very Rare Meissen Underglaze-blue-ground Beaker and Saucer, Circa 1722-23. Sold for £62,750.
• A Very Rare Meissen 'chinoiserie War-chess' Set, Late 18th Century. Sold for £37,750.
• A Meissen Figure of St. John Nepomuk, Circa 1731. Sold for £56,500.