Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen

About Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen

Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen is a highly specialized Munich-based auction house recognized as one of Europe's premier destinations for Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bauhaus, and modern design. Founded in 1998 by Askan Quittenbaum, the house draws on a family tradition in the decorative arts stretching back to the 1950s, and its focus on design and applied arts sets it apart from more generalist competitors.

History

The story begins with Ellen Piper Quittenbaum, Askan's mother, who opened a gallery for African art in Düsseldorf in 1956 and, in 1968, founded a gallery in Hamburg specializing in jewellery, Art Nouveau glass, and antiques. Askan Quittenbaum entered the family business in 1992, and together they ran the gallery in Hamburg-Blankenese with a focus on Art Deco, design, and Murano glass.

The move from gallery to auction house came in 1998, when the company relocated to Munich and held its inaugural Art Nouveau auction on May 11, 1998. The following year, a landmark Bauhaus auction of around 400 objects established the house's specialization in modern design, a focus that proved prescient as the market for twentieth-century design has grown enormously over the past two decades.

Specialist categories

Quittenbaum holds approximately four major auctions per year in Munich, supplemented by online sales. Core categories include:

• Art Nouveau furniture, lighting, glass, and decorative objects
• Art Deco furniture, sculpture, and applied arts
• Bauhaus and modernist design from the early twentieth century
• Post-war and contemporary design from the 1950s to the present
• Murano glass and decorative arts
• Jewellery, including author's jewellery
• Photography and modern and contemporary art

French Art Nouveau glass is a standout, with consistently high prices for vases and objects by Émile Gallé, Daum Frères, and Lötz, complemented by special auctions devoted to René Lalique. Art Deco sculpture is another area of strength, with important bronzes and chryselephantine figures from the 1920s and 1930s regularly handled. The Bauhaus design category attracts institutional and private collectors worldwide, given the scarcity of original pieces. Author's jewellery, covering artist-designed and handcrafted pieces, complements the house's decorative-arts focus, and the photography department offers regular sales of twentieth-century and contemporary work.

Why Quittenbaum stands out

Quittenbaum's intimate scale is both its charm and its competitive advantage: unlike larger houses where design is one department among many, at Quittenbaum it is the entire focus, so every specialist has deep knowledge of the design market and the house's collector relationships in this niche are exceptionally strong. Its catalogues and deep archive of past sale results also serve as reference works for collectors and scholars researching the market.

Buying and selling

The buyer's premium is generally in the range of 25 to 30 percent, inclusive of German VAT, though buyers should confirm the specific rate for each sale. Catalogues include detailed lot descriptions, professional photography, and condition reports, and items can be viewed during pre-sale exhibitions at the Munich saleroom.

Free appraisals for consignors can be arranged through the Munich office or by submitting photographs online, with commissions negotiated case by case; the house is especially attractive for significant Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bauhaus, or modern design pieces. Online bidding is supported through the Quittenbaum website and third-party platforms including LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Quittenbaum specialize in?

Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bauhaus, and twentieth-century design, along with related decorative arts, jewellery, and photography.

What is Quittenbaum's buyer's premium?

Generally 25 to 30 percent, inclusive of German VAT, though buyers should confirm the exact rate for each sale.

How can I bid at a Quittenbaum auction?

Through the Quittenbaum website or third-party platforms including LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable, in addition to in-person bidding at the Munich saleroom.