The 1930s are further represented by a collection of Keramis vases, Belgian pride from La Louvière. A silver Georg Jensen dining set is also offered in the same line. Also collectible is the rare ‘three deer in cornfield’ vase by Danish Axel Salto. If it can be any rarer, a sculpted walrus jaw is also on offer. This standing figure, made in Thule (present-day Qaanaaq in Greenland), was placed on the prow of a kayak to ward off evil spirits and enemies. According to tradition, this piece is said to come from the estate of Danish prince Knud, whose father is believed to have received it himself as a gift from the village of Thule.

Another special feature, of an entirely different nature, is the monumental bas-relief by Oscar Jespers. Commissioned by the Belgian government, Jespers cut a four-by-12-metre ‘map of Belgium’ in lime wood for the 1935 World’s Fair in Brussels; the giant bas-relief, which he polychromed, was placed in architect Victor Bourgeois’ model station. Jespers succinctly portrayed his country’s cultural and economic history. The composition is defined by two diagonals, which separate High, Central and Low Belgium. To characterise city or region, the sculptor chose a symbol. Thus, the region between Spa and Namur is represented by a hunter and St Hubertus, Ostend by sunbathers and Antwerp by the ‘Boerentoren’.

As for the 1940s, several still lifes by Walter Vaes are on offer, where he masterfully brushes mussels, meat or the ingredients for a vol-au-vent, among others.

After all this beauty, we finally arrive at the second half of the 20th century. Again, the offer remains abundant. As such, we switch to the late surrealism of Rachel Baes, who is represented in this auction with three oil paints and a gouache. Furthermore, there is work on offer by Louis Van Lint, Joseph Willaert (as could be seen last year in the exhibition at the Venetian Galleries in Ostend), one of the famous seed pouches by Jef Geys (in this case: maize) or yet a monumental Jef Verheyen of 182 x 182 cm (excl. frame) from his series ‘Zonnebogen’, exploring the colour effect of iridescence. The latter two artists will also be on display at Wiels and KMSKA at the time of the viewing days.
The 1960s auction lots culminate in an eye-catching design piece, namely Max Ingrand‘s “2248” maquillage stand for Fontana Arte. Within the design section, the choice is extensive as well. A sample of the range: the ‘Side 2’ chest of drawers by Shiro Kuramata Vittorio Introini, several lots of ‘Ant chairs’ by Arne Jacobsen and multiple lamps by Vico Magistretti or Joe Colombo, alongside some cabinets and tables by USM Haller, a recliner by Poul Kjaerholm or two ‘Less’ meeting tables by Jean Nouvel.