“Bares for Rares”: Daniel Meyer and David Suppes deliver an exciting bidding war for a goddess

“Bares for Rares”
Daniel Meyer and David Suppes deliver a gripping bidding war for the goddess of fertility

The seller thinks they are ugly, but two dealers really wanted to have them: “Bares für Rares” led to a spectacular bidding war for a porcelain figure – in which the opponents also fought verbally.

“She’s not that pretty,” says Ivonne Teiwes about the porcelain figure from Nymphenburg, which she and her father Hans Horst Sinnig want to sell at “Bares für Rares”. It was given to him 35 years ago when an office was closed, but none of his children want it.

When Horst Lichter found out about women’s jobs, he pricked up his ears. She is a menswear designer. “I’m watching very closely what you’re wearing,” she says – and upsets the moderator: “Is there anything to be done here?” He asks uncertainly. But the connoisseur is satisfied: “You’re good,” says Teiwes.

A goddess at “Bares for Rares”

The round was dedicated to the most important person: the porcelain statue. As expert Bianca Berding explains, it is a representation of Ceres, the Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture. The figure was designed by the sculptor Dominik Auliczek, who lived from 1734 to 1804 and worked for the Nymphenburg porcelain manufactory. The figure is part of the cycle “The Four Seasons” and represents summer. It was made in Nymphenburg in the first half of the 20th century. Sinnig specifies 600 to 700 euros as the desired price. Berding goes along with it: she estimates the value at 600 to 800 euros.

The goddess is well received in the dealer’s room: Daniel Meyer raves about the “classical almond eyes”. He starts with 500 euros. At 700 euros, David Suppes will also enter the race. A fast-paced bidding war ensues between the two dealers – who also fight each other verbally. Nymphenburg is not the number 1 porcelain brand, says Suppes. “If you’re from Bavaria like me, you see things very differently,” Meyer replies. “I used to live in Bavaria,” Suppes explains his next bid of 750 euros. Shortly afterwards, when he puts 800 euros on the table, his opponent begins to badmouth the object: “It’s damaged, did you see that?” Meyer asks. “Then I would strongly advise against bidding there,” counters Suppes. However, Meyer does not listen to this and raises the price to 850 euros – for this sum he is awarded the contract.

“I’m really relieved, because I found her really ugly,” beams saleswoman Ivonne Teiwes after the sale of the figure. Her father is also happy that she has changed hands.

source: “Bares for Rares” in the ZDF media library

+++ Read also +++