78th Auction
15. November 2025
15. November 2025
Take advantage of our exclusive offer:
Only 3 % live bidding fee plus VAT when bidding on versteigerungshaus.de!
(On external platforms, the live bidding fee is 5 % plus VAT.)
When the hammer falls in Quedlinburg on November 15, collectors’ dreams will come true. We present an exceptionally curated selection ranging from feats of technical innovation to masterpieces of porcelain art.
The absolute highlight is a historic mechanical mining model from the Ore Mountains (circa 1900). Its complex mechanism brings dozens of hand-carved miner figures to life. Bidding for a good cause:the entire hammer price will be donated to the reforestation of the Kuckanstal valley near Bad Sachsa.
Another focal point is the dissolution of a major private collection of Thuringian porcelain (Karl Ens, Volkstedt). It includes hundreds of naturalistic animal figures – among them impressive eagles – as well as the rare porcelain “Lovers” group from the Wallendorf manufactory, an important document of social history.
From porcelain to mobility: a true technical gem is the rare French motorized bicycle Alcyon “Alcyonnette” (1924). The machine remains in outstanding original condition with fine patina and, complete with carbide lamp, represents a genuine time capsule of the 1920s.
The auction lineup is rounded off by selected artworks – including works by Czeslaw Wasilewski – and an impressive collection of rare Montblanc “Writers Edition” fountain pens.
Alright then — Mike is now officially our most efficient team member! I tell him on the phone (thanks, Mike!) that he can grab the Empress’s watch for the display case… and instead of walking, he just takes the magical shortcut straight through the iPad! But he’s right: the preview starts NOW! And this piece (Lot 687) is a true highlight — it’s the personal 585 gold Art Deco wristwatch of Empress Hermine. A Christmas gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II, as proven by the engraving “WH 1927” on the back. And that’s not all: according to family records, the great-great-aunt of the consignor worked as a cashier at the Doorn Imperial Household and received the watch directly from the royal household. It even comes with original autographs from Wilhelm and Hermine — a genuine piece of history!
Behind the scenes of our 78th auction! Mike’s hard at work hanging the paintings — and he’s come up with his very own dramatic interpretation of Wolfgang Kretzer’s “Hope” (Lot 809). But that’s the beauty of art, isn’t it? For one person it’s Hope, for another it’s Free Fall. Everyone can see it their own way! (Although for the auction, we did agree to hang it the “right” way up — just as the artist signed it. ) Anyway, Mike’s right: the preview starts NOW!
Don't worry, we're not haunted... well, probably not. We just picked out our spookiest highlights for Halloween: The impressive painting "King Death" (Lot 871) by Sidonie Springer and these fascinating skeleton ashtrays (Lot 274 & 241) made of Thuringian porcelain. Each piece tells its own morbidly curious story. And now for the best part: You can see them LIVE! Our grand pre-auction viewing for the 78th Auction (on Nov 15th) is OPEN NOW! WE ARE OPEN ON THE HOLIDAYS! Come visit us on: ► Halloween / Reformation Day (Oct 31) ► All Saints' Day (Nov 1)
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