Board games

Serge Poliakoff (1906 Moscow - 1969 Paris) "Composition grise et noire" (Composition in gray and black). Original title This asymmetrical composition, created in 1959, is representative of Poliakoff's oeuvre and consists of graduated, light silver-grey to almost black surfaces. Poliakoff's works consist of simple, juxtaposed, almost structureless, pure areas of color, whereby their free arrangement and renunciation of geometric strictness corresponded entirely to the artist's lyrical and musical personality. In our composition, too, the surfaces harmonize with each other; although formally separate, they are inseparably linked in a remarkable, intrinsic balance. Poliakoff, one of the most important representatives of the "École des Paris", emigrated to Paris in 1923. From 1935 onwards, he gradually moved towards abstraction, with color and surface becoming his sole means of expression. He was decisively influenced by Kandinsky, whom he met in 1937. Through Sonja and Robert Delaunay he recognized the emotive effect of color and simultaneous contrasts, Otto Freundlich inspired him with his curved "colour-form compositions". In 1938 Poliakoff exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants for the first time, in 1945 the Galerie l'Esquisse held its first exhibition of Poliakoff's abstract paintings, and in 1946 Poliakoff took part in the first Salon des Réalités nouvelles. In the following years, Poliakoff achieved his international breakthrough with his puzzle-like and carpet-like compositions of adjacent, vibrating color surfaces. In 1959 and 1964 he took part in documenta I and II; in 1960 Poliakoff was given a solo exhibition in the Bern Kunsthalle with 137 pictures; in 1962 he even had his own room dedicated to him at the Venice Biennale. By the mid-1960s, Poliakoff was one of the most famous and important painters of his generation. Gouache/paper. Signed lower right; 47 cm x 63 cm. Frame. Provenance: Galerie Sacchetti, Ascona; Galerie Bonnier, Geneva, and Svensk-Franska Konstgalleriet, Stockholm (merged in 1973); auction "Contemporary Art", Sotheby's, London, 03.07.1998, lot 226; Galerie Neher, Essen; German private collection. Enclosed: Certificate of authenticity by Alexis Poliakoff, Archives Serge Polikakoff, Paris, 01.09.2000 (dated 1958). The authenticity was confirmed by Thadée Poliakoff, Archives Serge Poliakoff, Paris, in a recent e-mail on 16.02.2024; it is registered in the archive under no. 858083 and listed in the Catalogue raisonné, vol. III (1959-1962), with no. 59-196 for the year 1959. Gouache on paper. Signed. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Alexis Poliakoff, 1st of September 2000. The artwork is published in the catalogue raisonné, volume III, no. 59-196. It is registrated by the Archives Serge Poliakoff, Paris, under no. 858083. The authenticity was recently confirmed by the Archives Serge Poliakoff in a mail from 16th of February 2024.

[REINE ELISABETH]. [JEU]. - "Musical Labyrinth. Jeu des musiciens dédié à sa majesté la reine" Zlica, 1923. Musical quiz dedicated to Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, in faded box. Complete with game rules.

Jeu de Patiene (sic). Puzzle aus 66 Teilen. Wohl Frankreich, um 1780. Handkolorierter Kupferstich, auf Holz aufgezogen. 31 x 22,5 cm. In grünem Pappschuber d. Zt., auf dem Vorderdeckel gestochenes ovales Etikett, umrahmt von einem handgezeichneten Blumen - Puzzle Jeu de Patiene (sic). Puzzle of 66 pieces. Probably France, around 1780. Hand-colored copperplate engraving, mounted on wood. 31 x 22.5 cm. In a green cardboard slipcase of the period, engraved oval label on the front cover, framed by a hand-drawn floral wreath in gouache (stained, occasional scribbles, small losses in the margins, overall signs of wear). The depiction shows a Cupid with a raised index finger, apparently giving advice to a woman kneeling before him beneath two arching rosebushes. - Old overpaste in the lower white margin. A few brown spots. The puzzle in excellent condition with bright and fine coloring. Jigsaw-puzzle consisting of 66 pieces (= complete). Handcolored engraving mounted on thin wood. Probably France around 1780. In cont. green paste-paper slip-case, mounted engraved oval label to front cover, framed by an original wash-colour wreath of flowers (slipcase with traces of wear, occasional scribbles, extremeties worn). - The image shows a cupido his fore-finger held up and obviously giving welcome (?) advice to a kneeling woman in front of him under two arch-shaped rose bushes. - Lower white margin with old paste-over. A few brown spots else fine. The jigsaw-puzzle in excellent condition with bright and delicate coloring. * This work is taxed. The hammer price is subject to a 23.95% surcharge and the final invoice amount is subject to 7% (books only) or 19% VAT in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 23.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books only) or 19% VAT on the final invoice amount in the European Union.

A good Donyatt slipware puzzle jug, dated 1829, with sgraffito decoration of birds perched atop leafy stems, around the shoulder inscribed 'No handy craft can with our art Compare we make our pots of what we potters are', the neck pierced, the rim with a single pointed spout, all in a rich yellow slip, 21.5cm. Cf. R Coleman-Smith and T Pearson, Excavations in the Donyatt Potteries, nos 33-36 for jugs of the same form.

A large slipware puzzle jug, dated 1831, inscribed 'J + ny 1831' in cream slip on a rich treacle ground, the tall neck pierced with an elaborate design, the neck with three conical spouts, some restoration to the rim, 26cm.

A Yorkshire slipware puzzle jug, probably 19th century, inscribed 'TW 1758' in cream slip, the neck pierced with tulips and an elaborate star, a Halifax slipware model of a rocking chair, inscribed 'LP' and dated 1865, and a slipware tankard with stylised motifs, minor faults, 20cm max. (3)