Sworders feel privileged to be entrusted to disperse this select group of items from the deeply cherished personal collection of the late Hermann Baer (1898-1977), including antique Italian maiolica and German faience.
8 May 2024
VIEW PREVIEW REQUEST A VALUATION CONTACT A SPECIALIST
A maiolica albarello (£300-500)
Born in Bavaria, Germany, Hermann Baer began working in interior design and antiques in Berlin, where he lived until 1936. Fearing persecution after Hitler came to power, Baer and his wife, Maria, moved to London where they established an antiques shop on Davies Street in Mayfair. Hermann soon became one of the city’s most respected antiques dealers; he was highly regarded for his expert knowledge and judgment, flair, and superb taste, and over his forty-year career he was cemented as one of the world’s great authorities on medieval and renaissance art.
A maiolica albarello (£300-500)
A well-known character of London’s art world, Hermann frequented the city's auction houses acquiring works of art, but adhered to the highest principles of integrity, refusing to participate in the ‘Ring’ upon arriving in England almost penniless, which brought threats of retaliation from other well-established dealers. This strong sense of honesty and sincerity paid dividends, earning the loyalty of several international collectors, including Kenneth Thompson and various members of the Brenninkmeyer family. Many of the pieces from Thompson's collection are now on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada.
A maiolica wet drug jar (£300-500)
Baer passed away in 1977 but his shop remained open, run by Maria until 1988. A few pieces he owned or handled have appeared on the open market before, but Sworders feel privileged to be entrusted to disperse this select group of items from his deeply cherished personal collection, including antique Italian maiolica and German faience.
A pair of maiolica armorial albarelli (£800-1,200)
fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
As you may be aware, Sworders’ London gallery at 15 Cecil Court was temporarily closed throughout much of June for refurbishment. We are delighted to say that we have now reopened for business, five days a week 11am-6pm and look forward to welcoming all our customers to a new-look space. Here Lizzie Lardner, head of Sworders London, talks about her plans for the gallery.
30 July 2025
A haunting carte-de-visite of David Livingstone’s coffin attended by Jacob Wainwright, captured in 1874, offers a remarkable glimpse into history. We are honoured to include this poignant photograph in our upcoming Out of the Ordinary sale, on Tuesday 19 August.
25 July 2025
Join us for a journey through time as we reminisce the Punk revolution and its lasting effects woven through every part of popular culture, film, art and fashion, ahead of our 19 August Out of the Ordinary auction, where Punk makes a bold feature.
25 July 2025