German Royals Auction 20,000 Antiques and Art Objects
Published October 6th, 2005
An auction of more 20,000 antiques and art objects owned by the family of Prince Ernst August of Hanover brought in more than $3.6 million in its first four hours Wednesday, organizers said.
Sales began briskly, with a triptych by a student of Lucas Cranach fetching $214,560. Some 200 other paintings also were sold after the auction opened at the family’s Marienburg palace in Hanover, according to Sotheby’s auction house, which organized the sale.
“The auction has met with unusual resonance,” said Heinrich von Spreti, head of Sotheby’s German branch.
Sotheby’s now expects the auction to fetch well above the original estimate of $14.3 million, which will be used to restore the palace. The objects were selected by Ernst August’s two sons, Ernst August and Christian, who gathered them from Marienburg’s attic and cellar.
Some 8,000 interested buyers flocked to the palace to view the furniture, weapons, jewelry, costumes and paintings that are being offered. Many of the objects date from the 17th and 18th centuries, when members of the family ruled Hanover.
Ernst August, the husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, is a distant relative of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and great-grandson of the last German emperor, Wilhelm II. He is descended from one of Germany’s oldest noble families.
The sale runs until Oct. 15.
