Among the works sold by Stockholms Auktionswerk that will be included in a June 4-13 exhibition to mark the firm’s 350th anniversary is Bureau, Paris World Fair 1937. One-of-a-kind bureau designed by Carl Axel Acking and made by master carpenter Albin Johansson. The exterior is veneered oak root and alm, with the decoration of inlaid flowers, and the interior is made of olive wood drawers with brass handles as well as original brass keys, with timely motives Suede and Paris. This was sold by Stockholms Auktionsverk on June 10, 2017, at the Fine Art Auction Modern & Contemporary. It was bought and is currently owned by Paul Jackson.
To celebrate the landmark, Stockholms Auktionsverk is bringing together some of the most influential objects that have passed through the auction halls since 1674. This is in the form of an anniversary exhibition at Nybrogatan 32 from June 4-13 - with a carefully selected collection of artworks and objects it has ever sold.
Prices where given are in Swedish Krona and include fees and taxes.
Long history
Stockholms Auktionsverk was established on the initiative of Baron Claes Rålamb - the Chief Justice of Stockholm and a pioneer in the auction world - who issued the founding auction chamber order in 1674.
On December 17, 1733, Stockholms Auktionsverk itself was up for auction. The highest bid was made by Prime Minister Lukas Lutkens, an annual fee of 4502 silver coins.
The agreement signed between the state and the city of Stockholm included a provision that prohibited others from holding auctions in Stockholm; all private auctions had to be reported to the city’s auction house. They could then issue permits and ensure that their staff were in place to conduct the auction.
Anyone who violated this was punished with a fine of 100 silver coins - half of which was donated to the informer as a reward and the other half to the city’s less fortunate. The standard commission was also to be paid to the auction house.
Handwritten manuscript by Albert Einstein. It contains a 1915 version of the general theory of relativity, with comments by Max von Laue, winner of the 1914 Nobel Prize in Physics. It formed the basis of an article published on December 21, 1922 by the Prussian Academy of Sciences. The first publication Einstein made as a Nobel Prize winner himself. (He was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect, which was decided and announced in autumn 1922.) Until 1948, the manuscript was owned by Max von Laue. After 1948, it had other private owners. In autumn 2018, the document was offered on December 5, 2018, at the Important Sale Fine Art & Antiques sale for SEK1.75m. It was bought by Åsa and Per Taube with the aim of donating it to the collection of objects at the Nobel Prize Museum, where it is currently exhibited.
This auction monopoly was not abolished until 1972, and until then, all auctions within the city limits were conducted by Stockholms Auktionsverk.
Inside the doors at Nybrogatan 32 today, you can find the bell that has been ringing for auctions at Stockholms Auktionsverk for 310 years. From 1727, it was used to summon the public to the auction twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. After 1858, the number of days was doubled, and during the high season - now known as the spring and fall auction seasons - the hammer auctions could take place six days a week.
The state ran the auction house between 1674 and 1790 from Själagårdsgatan 19 in the Old Town. In 1790, it moved to Polusska huset on Myntgatan and in 1836 to Birger Jarls torg on Riddarholmen, where it remained for over a century. In 1949, it moved to Bonnierhuset on Torsgatan, 10 years later to Norrtullsgatan 6, and in 1977 to Stockholm city and Beridarebansgatan in the premises under Gallerian. In 2002, it moved into its current premises at Nybrogatan 32.
The firm runs branches in Sweden, Finland, and Germany, with over 60 specialists and more than 800,000 registered buyers in 180 countries.
Royal owner
The auction house says: “The most famous painting sold at the Stockholms Auktionsverk is Rembrandt’s Kökspiganfrom 1651.
“During the 18th century, it was owned by Eva Bielke, but after her death, it was sold at the Stockholms Auktionsverk in 1779, along with several other works of art, to a new famous owner - King Gustav III - who was given the royal privilege of the first choice, selecting his purchases from the private art collection.
“In 1866, Kökspiganwas transferred to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm where it remains today.”
