Dorotheum

Dorotheum GmbH & Co KG

Type	Public
Industry	Auctions
Founded	1707
Headquarters	Vienna, Austria
Key people	Chairman Martin Boehm, Lucas Tinzl
Employees	ca. 530
Website	www.dorotheum.com

Dorotheum

The Dorotheum, established in 1707, is one of the world's oldest auction houses.^[1] It has its headquarters in Vienna on the Dorotheergasse and is the largest auction house in both Continental and German-speaking Europe. Besides auctions, the retail sector also plays a major role in Dorotheum's business. In the Dorotheum,works of art, antiques, furniture, and jewellery from various centuries are put up for auction. The building is constructed in the neo-classical style. It is an attraction for Viennese natives and numerous tourists alike.

Branches exist in Vienna in the Austrian states, the Czech capital of Prague, and the Italian cities of Milan and Rome, as well as in Dusseldorf, Munich and Brussels.

History

The firm's establishment as the Versatz- und Fragamt zu Wien was carried out by Emperor Joseph I in 1707. Seventy years later it moved into the former Dorotheerkloster, which gave it its current name of Dorotheum. The new building of the Dorothem Palace in the location of the old cloister was completed in 1901. At the end of the 1980s, the building's foyer and interior were redesigned by the Viennese architect and designer Luigi Blau. In 2001, the Dorotheum was sold to an Austrian consortium and since then has greatly expanded.

From 1707 to the present

”SINCE 1707” the Dorotheum logo declares. The current year, therefore, offers cause for celebration: For a full 300 years, the story of this traditionally Austrian enterprise, still in Austrian hands even after its privatisation, has been part of the history of the country at large. Founded in 1707, at the behest of Emperor Joseph I., the "Wiener Versatz- und Fragamt" (Pawn & Query Bureau) opened its doors to the Viennese public in the April of that same year and in the presence of the emperor himself. From the outset, the "Bureau" was also charged with holding auctions, allowing the Dorotheum to claim the distinction of being the oldest among the world's major auction houses. Today, 300 years after its foundation, this once local institution has transformed itself into a modern company with a strong international presence and a staff of 530, making the Dorotheum the largest auction house in Continental Europe and in German-speaking Europe. Its 600 annual auctions in over 40 categories are supervised by a total of 100 experts and specialists who readily provide advice and assistance. With 28 branch offices all over Austria as well as representations in Milan, Rome, Brussels, Munich, Düsseldorf, and Prague, the name "Dorotheum" has long since become a byword far beyond the country's borders. Meanwhile, the "Palais Dorotheum", the company headquarters located in the Dorotheergasse in Vienna, continues to attract a continuous stream of customers and has achieved a kind of landmark status, in the same league as Vienna's St Stephen's Cathedral or the city's famous "Sachertorte" gateau. Owing to its new business strategy, this traditional element of Austrian identity also continues to gain in international recognition and esteem.

One of Europe's oldest auction houses

Dorotheum stems from the Pawn & Query Bureau of 1707, located in Vienna's inner city. The name was changed when moving to new premises. The name derives from a former monastery located on that site whose newly adapted premises were considered better suited for the Bureau's retail and auction business. When the auction business began to take off at the end of the 19th century with auctions being held in 13 separate rooms, Emperor Franz Joseph commissioned the rebuilding of the Palais on the grounds of the old monastery. A well-known architect, Emil von Förster, renowned for his work on Vienna's Ringstrasse Boulevard, was charged with drawing up plans for a building that was meant to be magnificent without being ostentatious. Its formal opening in 1901 was conducted by the emperor himself. The designation "Dorotheum", however, only became official in 1918, after the monarchy had come to an end. Heavily damaged during World War II, the building continues to exert its own special attraction. Part of the original structure can still be seen, e.g. at the "Kielmansegg Wall" in the Dorotheum courtyard currently used as a loading zone, where tombstones and reliefs have been set into a wall, named after Governor Count Erich Kielmansegg, one of the men responsible for the building's structural renewal.

The same Count Kielmansegg also created the foundation of the modern auction house by introducing separate auction categories where before auctions and catalogues had featured a diverse jumble of art, antiques, and collectibles. Art and numismatics were the first stand-alone categories to be introduced in 1900. Today, over 40 separate categories offer approximately 600 auctions in a wide range of collectibles and antiques. Even the imperial family has become the subject of a highly popular and successful auction of its own. Sooner or later history catches up with everybody… The new premises at the Palais inaugurated in 1901 as well as growing demand resulted in an auction boom that saw a growing number of special auctions. During the interwar period, a number of prominent collections were put up for auction, e.g. the estate of the Austrian Nobel laureate Bertha von Suttner (1843-1914), the complete furnishings of Castle Klessheim at Salzburg, once owned by Archduke Ludwig Viktor, or the major part of the collection of Albert Figdor, one of Europe's foremost private collectors. The original auction rooms were arranged around a main auction hall, now known as the "Emperor Franz Joseph Hall", and are today mainly used for display purposes. All the rooms are named after individuals who played some important part in Dorotheum history, including the 170 seat "Ludwigstorff" auction hall, named after an imperial advisor. Incidentally, Georg Ludwigstorff, the current highly regarded expert for silver, medals, and imperial memorabilia, is a direct descendant of the original name giver.

During the Nazi regime important posts within the Dorotheum hierarchy were assigned to supporters of the regime. The institution's infrastructure was used to auction off aryanised property, although the Dorotheum itself was at no time actively involved in Aryanisation. The present management has made coming to terms with the Dorotheum's history during this period one of their prime concerns. The year 2006 saw the publication of a report by independent historical experts and a payment of USD 32 million to the "General Restitution Fund for Victims of National Socialism" was meant to be more than just a symbolic act. Today, a new and internationally connected department is responsible for researching the provenance of the art objects destined for auction at the Dorotheum.

Dorotheum Galleries and Dorotheum Jewellery – antiques and jewellery

Since 1978, retail sales have become another major business division for the Dorotheum. The Dorotheum Galleries offer a wide selection of art, decorative objects, and antiques for sale and entirely independent of the auction schedule. Together with Dorotheum Jewellery the retail branch makes up one of the Dorotheum's three mainstays. For the past two years, the singer Sandra Pires has provided a charming figurehead for the Dorotheum Jewellery department: with 28 outlets across Austria offering traditional silver- and gold jewellery, wrist watches, as well as modern fashion jewellery, the Dorotheum can claim to be the country's largest jewellery retailer. Among other projects, Dorotheum Jewellery has created the "d´oro" line of gold jewellery as well as a line of watches called "doroChron", and as of 2006 the "Dorotheum Juwelier Exclusiv" label caters to the luxury segment of the market. With the 2004 purchase of the largest Hungarian jewellery retailer OREX – likewise a tradition minded company that will continue to operate under its own name – the Dorotheum is well prepared to expand its jewellery business into the international market. In addition, the Dorotheum Vienna houses Austria's most modern, state-of-the-art jewellery lab and the only one in the country equipped with a "Diamond Sure" used to distinguish natural and artificial diamonds. Aside from examining the jewels destined for auction, the jewellery lab also provided certificates of authenticity and quality and offers valuations at every level.

Dorotheum Pawn Office

The Dorotheum's second line of business, its "Pawn Office", can likewise look back on a long history. In former times, the Pawn & Query Bureau also acted as an intermediary for people searching for apartments, the purely charitable intent being to limit profiteering and part of the proceeds going to poorhouses. The Dorotheum continues to regard its activities in this department as providing a financial service, one that continues to be in considerable demand. A pawn loan offers a simple and unbureaucratic way of overcoming temporary financial difficulties and this appears to be the main purpose for which the service is used. Ninety percent of all pawned objects are eventually redeemed.

Modern times

The Dorotheum increasingly focuses on its international orientation and its considerable assets in modern and contemporary art. The auction house's ongoing modernisation – both in architectural as well as conceptual terms – seeks to preserve the unique charm and character arising from 300 years of tradition. This has always been the declared intent of the new ownership, represented by Martin Böhm, managing director in charge of the auction department, and Lucas Tinzl, managing director in charge of the pawn and retail divisions.

Dorotheum international

Even before the change in ownership the Dorotheum took a number of steps towards internationalisation with the opening of a Prague office in 1992, shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and of a Brussels office in 1996. The new management later thought it appropriate to provide the best possible customer service to two countries of crucial importance to Dorotheum business, in quick succession opening representations in Düsseldorf and Munich (2003) as well as in Milan (2005). Rome followed 2009. All these representations provide comprehensive client services, including expert advice on the purchase and sale of top-quality art, display select of auction highlights, and offer competent assistance with every aspect of the Dorotheum's auctions. On dedicated "consultation days", the experts and specialists of the Dorotheum Vienna inspect the art objects and collectibles considered for auction. Any such consultation is free of charge and obligation.

The Dorotheum as art sponsor

The Dorotheum has always been an indispensable part of the art- and society scene of Vienna and of Austria in general. One not only remembers the splendid gala openings preceding various auctions but is also able to participate in events focussing on contemporary art. As a sponsor of the MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art, Foundation Ludwig Vienna), the Dorotheum has repeatedly played host to the popular "museum days", offering free admission to the public. It also financed the MUMOK's permanent "White Cube" bridge installation by the renowned artist Heimo Zobernig and initiated the foundation of the "Art Cluster Vienna". An organisation of major Viennese art institutions, museums, and academies, it seeks to lend greater international presence to Vienna as a site for art events as well as associated business. The Art Cluster organises the "Vienna Art Week" every year with special events and conducted tours, art dinners, panel discussions and much more.

Dorotheum auctions: more than 40 categories, 100 experts, and 600 auctions

Every year approximately 600 auctions are held in Vienna, Austria's Federal Provinces, especially Salzburg, and in Prague. The Palais Dorotheum Vienna serves as a magnificent backdrop for the most important auctions and those with the greatest international significance. The four annual major "Auction Weeks" attract art lovers from all over the globe. Categories include modern and contemporary art, 19th century art, silver, glass and porcelain, jewellery, clocks, art nouveau, furniture, sculpture, master drawings, and old master paintings.

The old master paintings category, the auction category with the single highest turn-over, has seen the Dorotheum consolidate its leading position in continental Europe. One expert, Peter "il Lupo" Wolf has played an important role in recent successes. Thanks to his efforts, a number of hidden treasures came to light and the public's attention, for example in 1992, when he recognised a painting as being by Hans von Aachen.

Recently contemporary art has become a main focus of the Dorotheum; its range in these categories is also fuelled by the branch offices abroad. The booming design category was created 11 years ago by the expert in charge, Dr. Gerti Draxler, whose efforts have made the Dorotheum a prime address for collectors of design. The biannual auctions have repeatedly broken internal sales records.

At no time does the Dorotheum actually own the objects destined for auction, it acts solely on a commission basis and charges for its services. One can either personally take part in the auction, via telephone, or by means of a written buy order. Absentee bidders are represented by an employee of the auction house. The auctioneer, or team of auctioneers, reads out the individual object's title and starting bid while a projected image can be seen on one side of the room.

Bidding usually starts below the value estimated by the expert and then proceeds by precise increments. In place of a hammer the Dorotheum uses an auction bell.

Past sales

In recent years the Dorotheum has set a number of record sales. One of the most costly works of art ever auctioned at the Dorotheum is by a member of Rembrandt's studio and shows a portrait of a young man, his face half-turned towards the viewer; from an estimated value of 20.000 to 30.000 Euro, Jan Lievens' painting rose to a sensational 912.000 Euro. The most expensive historical wrist-watch ever to be sold at auction in Austria was a Patek-Philippe minute repeater sold for 390.000 Euro. It was part of the highly successful sale of the collection of the surgeon Heinrich Lill in 2005, the proceeds of which - € 3,26 million – went to the "Save St Stephen's Cathedral" project.

Attracting a lot of international attention was the new record achieved by the sale of a painting by the artist Mario Schifano – "New York 65. L’inverno attraverso il museo" (1965) – demonstrating the effects of the Dorotheum's growing presence in Italy. One of Georg Ferdinand Waldmüller's finest works, his "The interrupted Pilgrimage", became one of the highlights of 19th century painting. Sold for € 1,32 million, the painting can still be viewed by the public at Vienna's Liechtenstein Museum.

Selected Auction Highlights

- Frans Francken II (1581 - 1642) Man between Virtue and Vice, realized price € 7,02 million - Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, il Guercino (1591 - 1666), Rinaldo and Armida, realized price € 1.04 million - Friedrich von Amerling, Girl with Straw Hat,€ 1,5 million - Piero Manzoni, Achrome, 1958/59 € 1,11 million

References

1. ^ "Going, going, … - any more bids?". wieninternational.at. 2007-03-28. http://www.wieninternational.at/en/node/3408. Retrieved 2007-04-16. 

• The information in this article is based on a translation of its German equivalent.

External links

• Dorotheum website

Coordinates: 48°12′22″N 16°22′06″E / 48.20611°N 16.36833°E / 48.20611; 16.36833