Kunsthaus Lempertz, headquartered in Cologne, is one of the oldest auction houses in the German-speaking world and a regular sale venue for European jewellery, watches and signed pieces. The firm was founded by Heinrich Lempertz in 1845 and has remained in family hands across six generations; it is currently directed by Henrik Hanstein, who joined in 1972, with sale rooms in Cologne, Berlin and Brussels.

Sale categories

Lempertz holds dedicated jewellery and watch auctions twice a year in Cologne, in May and November, alongside its broader fine-art programme covering Old Master paintings, modern art, photography, Asian art, decorative arts and tribal art. The jewellery sales are positioned in the European mid-tier - typically below the top New York and Geneva evening sales of Christie's and Sotheby's, but with consistent results for signed pieces by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Bulgari and German makers including Hemmerle, Wellendorff and Falter. The house has a particular strength in early-twentieth-century Continental jewellery and in fine watches by Patek Philippe, Rolex and the German makers A. Lange & Sohne and Glashutte Original.

Notable jewellery results

Lempertz has sold several historic pieces in the German-speaking market, including signed Belle Epoque tiaras, Art Deco bracelets and important coloured-stone rings. The firm publishes its catalogues bilingually in German and English and accepts international consignments and bidders. Buyer's premium and seller's commission are in line with European market norms; specific rates are set out in the conditions of sale published with each catalogue.

Position in the market

For a consignor, Lempertz offers a credible alternative to the global houses for pieces in the roughly 5,000 to 500,000 euro range, with lower commissions and a stronger Continental European bidder base. For buyers, the catalogues are gemmologically thorough by mid-tier standards, with laboratory reports cited where available, and viewing is held in person at the relevant sale room. The firm is a member of the German Auctioneers' Association and is bound by the German Auctioneer Ordinance.