This vivid and delicately painted enamel and silver icon by Ivan Petrovitch Khlebnikov, 1882, Central Russia, brought 36,000 ($49,300) at a past Dr. Fischer auction. Photo courtesy Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen.
In an effort to streamline my travel plans, I sketched out a schedule that should keep me entertained this year. Not one of these destinations is lacking in the usual attractions like scenic views, historic architecture or gastronomic specialties, but being there during these sales and auctions is extra icing on the cake:
Feb. 27-March 3: The large auctions at Auktionshaus Mehlis in Plauen, Germany, are sure to include Jugendstil, Art Deco, applied arts and more. A visit to the Plauener Spitzenmuseum (Museum of Lace) is a must. www.mehlis.eu
Feb. 28-March 2: Art Fair in the classical beauty of the Handelskammer Hamburg, near the city hall in the heart of Hamburg. Antique and art dealers present for the first time in this brand new show coordinated by Mendelssohn Messen & Ausstellungen GmbH.
March 8: The Palais Dorotheum in Vienna has magnificent auctions year-round. But for a refreshing change of scene and artists, try visiting their Prague art auction. www.Dorotheum.com
March 14-15: Antico Mondo in Cologne always delights with their toy and advertising auctions. Expect tin toys, toy trains, dolls and teddy bears in supreme condition, as well as a rich selection of antique tin advertising signs. If you happen to miss this one, they have similar sales slated for June 13-14, Aug 29-30 and Nov. 28-29. www.anticomondo.de
March 15: Auktionshaus Kloss, Berlin, has widely varied offerings. And the attractions in the city of Berlin are never ending. www.Auktionshaus-Kloss.de
March 21-22: Vienna is a great city to photograph because of its architectural mix, but shutterbugs should not miss Westlicht’s Photo and Camera Auctions featuring a Hasselblad that has traveled to the moon and back. www.Westlicht-Auction.com
April 10: Russian art and icons fill the hall at Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen in the lovely Trappensee-Schlösschen, Heilbronn. www.auctions-fischer.de
April 9-12: Bassenge, located in Berlin-Grunewald, hosts an auction of valuable books, decorative graphic art and autographs. www.Bassenge.com
April 25-26: Ladenburger Spielzeugauktion hosts a fun spring sale with antique doll houses and furnishings; character dolls, French dolls and Käthe Kruse; Steiff animals and bears, tin toys and trains, as well as antique Christmas decorations. www.Spielzeugauktion.de
May 2-3: David Feldman’s spring stamp auction in Geneva, Switzerland, features stamps from India, Switzerland and Russia. http://www.davidfeldman.com
May 6: Quittenbaum’s in Munich is known for their Jugendstil and Art Déco Auctions. The perfect chance to combine a trip to the Octoberfest city with some stunning antiques. www.Quittenbaum.de
June 18: If you are in Cologne near the curving Rhine, Van Ham Kunstauktionen hosts a rich sale of decorative art items including old master paintings, furniture, sculptures, silver, porcelain and jewelry. As an added bonus, the Forum für Fotographie is not far away. www.Van-Ham.de
June 19-20: Galerie Kornfeld in Bern, celebrating 150 years of selling fine art, is having a special sale of works by Marc Chagall during their anniversary auctions. They have conveniently scheduled their sales to coincide with Art Basel June 19-22. www.Kornfeld.ch www.ArtBasel.com
June 28: Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen in Heilbronn presents their 25th glass auction in Zwiesel, a city with a 700-year glassmaking tradition. Collectors flock to this very special event, where last year nearly 900 pieces of rare, sparking glass were auctioned.
Aug. 28-30: Auktionshaus Selzer in Rüdesheim am Rhein hosts their summer toy auction. They are known for antique trains, which are also displayed in their in-house museum. www.Selzer-Toy-Auction.com
Aug. 29-31: The Clock Fair (Antik Uhrenbörse) in Furtwang, the Black Forest, is a late summer sensation. Watches. Pocket watches, mantle clocks and every imaginable antique timepiece is offered at this huge show. www.antik-uhrenboerse.info
Sept. 6-8: The 1736 baroque Schloss Wotersen is the setting for a delightfully mixed antiques and fall festival. While treasures of Louis XVI, Biedermeier and Art Deco can be found among the antique dealers exhibiting in the riding hall, there is an autumn market featuring cheese, wine, wild game and music. www.wotersen.com
Nov. 7-8: The car lovers in your life will enjoy attending an Automobilia Auktion Ladenburg sale. The auction house deals in everything from autoracing memorabilia and advertising art to the actual autos themselves. www.Autotechnikauction.de
Nov. 9: If you collect fine wrist watches or pocket watches, Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces at Antiquorum in Geneva is a must. www.Antiquorum.com
Dec. 6-8: Auktionshaus Saure holds popular Wiking model auctions four times a year. The toy vehicles make for a fun auction for the holiday season, but check their website for additional auction dates. www.Auktionshaus-Saure.de
ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE
This vivid and delicately painted enamel and silver icon by Ivan Petrovitch Khlebnikov, 1882, Central Russia, brought 36,000 ($49,300) at a past Dr. Fischer auction. Photo courtesy Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen.
