Brueghel the Younger's 'The Swan Inn' Sells for CHF 1.34 Million at Koller September Auctions

Koller's September auctions drew competitive bidding, with many lots exceeding pre-sale estimates. Pieter Brueghel the Younger's 'The Swan Inn' brought CHF 1.34 million, marking the tenth lot to pass the million-franc threshold at the house this year. The Dr Peter Ducret Collection of 18th-century faïence proved a focal point of the autumn series, achieving a 90% sell-through rate and hammer prices totaling 185% of low estimates. Dr Ducret, son of porcelain authority Siegfried Ducret, dedicated his life to studying and assembling 18th-century faïence. Trompe-l'oeil serving pieces, several made by the Hannong dynasty in Strasbourg, generated especially lively competition. A pair of partridge-form serving dishes (lot 1038) realized CHF 47,500 against an estimate of CHF 12,000/22,000.