In the second half of 2025, the Ponte Auction House intensified auctions between Milan and Paris, with sales dedicated to rare philately, painting, oriental arts, and 20th-century design.
What is the role of Il Ponte between Milan and Paris at the end of 2025?
In the second half of 2025, Il Ponte Auctions consolidates its presence on the international scene with a calendar articulated between Milan and Paris. The sales encompass philately, 19th and 20th-century paintings and sculptures, oriental and Islamic art, furniture, and decorative arts of the 20th century.
The events offer works of great historical, collectible, and technical interest, confirming the auction house as a reference for operators and enthusiasts. Furthermore, the collaboration with Millon Auction Group strengthens the strategic bridge between the two cities.
How is the international philatelic calendar structured?
International philately is at the center of the sessions on December 16 and 17 between Milan and Paris. The partnership with Millon allows for integrated sales at the two locations, expanding the offer and enhancing the pieces of excellence in multiple collectible areas.
The preliminary exhibition from December 12 to 14 at Palazzo Crivelli presents a selection of extremely rare specimens. Among these stands out the famous envelope from Pontremoli to Genoa, lot 331, estimated at 80,000 – 120,000 euros, an exemplary case of postal history of the Italian Duchies.
Why is lot 331 from Parma considered legendary?
Lot 331, Parma 1857 (November 23), brings together the I and III issues on an envelope from Pontremoli to Genoa franked for 4.80 lire. The ensemble includes three specimens of the 10 centesimi black, two loose specimens, and two rare strips of four of the 40 centesimi blue, as well as a pair of the 25 centesimi brown lilac.
It is the highest franking of the Duchy of Parma and is listed among the greatest rarities of all the Ancient Italian States. It is universally recognized as “the most spectacular franking of the Duchy of Parma,” illustrated full-page in the Sassone catalog and cited by the Bolaffi encyclopedic catalog 1983/84.
The envelope is accompanied by a certificate from Enzo Diena and bears the signatures of A. Diena, G. Bolaffi, G. Colla, and L. Gazzi, confirming its historical and scientific value. The estimate remains set between 80,000 and 120,000 euros, in line with its museum importance.
What other notable philatelic lots stand out?
Among the Milanese lots, the mixed franking of the letter from Verona to Milan, lot 202, estimated at 30,000 – 50,000 euros, stands out. Three specimens of the 30 centesimi brown of the first issue are juxtaposed with two specimens of the 10 soldi brown of the second issue.
This combination was only possible between November and December 1858, a period of coexistence of the two series. The letter is indicated by the Sassone catalog among the greatest rarities of the Lombardo-Veneto, highlighting the historical significance of this phase of postal history.
The sale continues in Paris with a piece of exceptional importance: the Sicilian stamp of 1859, lot 394, estimated at 250,000 – 500,000 euros. The specimen, known for a color error, features the half grano printed in the blue shade of the 2 grana instead of the traditional orange.
The stamp is preserved on a perfect fragment and constitutes one of only two known specimens, both from the same letter. It is often cited among the great world rarities, on par with the famous Swedish yellow treskilling or the 9 kreuzer of Baden, and synthesizes technical precision and absolute rarity.
What does the auction of 19th and 20th-century paintings and sculptures offer?
On December 15, again at Palazzo Crivelli, the auction of 19th and 20th-century Paintings and Sculptures is scheduled. The catalog spans over a century of painting, with particular attention to the female figure and psychological rendering.
Among the main lots is the portrait by Giuseppe Molteni, Woman at the window watering flower pots (lot 98, oil on canvas, 125 x 100 cm), estimated at 20,000 – 25,000 euros. The work expresses a Milanese romantic realism, based on technical precision and descriptive scruple.
The Dream by Federico Zandomeneghi (lot 99, estimate 25,000 – 30,000 euros) instead explores female intimacy through vibrant and blurred color. The forms dissolve in an atmosphere suspended between wakefulness and sleep, in line with post-impressionist research.
Among the portraits, the Magdalene by Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita (lot 101, estimate 18,000 – 20,000 euros) stands out. With an essential and measured sign, the artist conveys great psychological depth, demonstrating his capacity for formal synthesis.
Completing the historical core is the painting by Carlo Bossoli, Napoleon and his army before the fire of Moscow (lot 100, estimate 45,000 – 50,000 euros). Although referring to the early 19th century, it stands out for its narrative setting and scenic construction, qualities that made the painter appreciated by European aristocracies and institutions.
How does the auction of oriental and Islamic art expand the offer?
On December 16, the auction dedicated to Oriental, Asian, and Islamic Art takes place, introducing for the first time in Italy a specific section for Islamic art. The curation is entrusted to the French expert Anne-Sophie Joncoux Pilorget, marking a targeted opening towards a segment so far underrepresented.
Among the standout lots is the celadon jade ruyi scepter from the Qianlong period, lot 297, estimated at 100,000 – 150,000 euros. The piece, 42 cm long, features rust-colored inclusions and a relief decoration with the Eight Buddhist Symbols, emblems of prosperity and spiritual fulfillment.
Also of great interest is the black and gold lacquered wooden cabinet from the 18th century, lot 294, with an estimate of 8,000 – 10,000 euros. The structure features engraved and gilded bronze friezes and a lacquered interior with flowers and animals, testifying to the level of Chinese imperial workshops.
Among the sculptures, the large pink coral sculpture (lot 296, 7,000 – 8,000 euros) stands out, where the three-dimensional workmanship transforms the organic material into a dynamic narrative. Additionally, the vases, such as the blue and copper red Jiaqing porcelain specimen (lot 289, 2,000 – 3,000 euros), and the sejjâda from the island of Chios (lot 363, 2,000 – 3,000 euros), illustrate a remarkable variety of materials and techniques.
This section extends the auction house’s offer towards the Islamic market, historically undersized in Italy compared to other European centers. Overall, the Asian and Middle Eastern segment significantly enriches the international profile of the sales.
What characterizes the auction of 20th-century decorative arts and design?
The Decorative Arts of the 20th century and design, scheduled for December 18 and 19 in via Giacomo Medici del Vascello, include 426 lots distributed over three sessions. The selection highlights the synergy between applied arts, architecture, and interior design throughout the 20th century.
The catalog features works by protagonists such as Lucio Fontana, Osvaldo Borsani, Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa, Ettore Sottsass, and Emilio Bellini. In the 1930s and 1940s, Fontana closely collaborated with architects and designers, creating plaster sculptures, luminous panels, and decorative furnishings integrated into domestic interiors.
Among the notable lots are the Male Portrait in plaster, lot 59, dated 1939 and estimated at 18,000 – 20,000 euros, the Indirect Light Chandelier (lot 60, 25,000 – 35,000 euros), and the console-shelf decorated by Fontana and Borsani, lot 61, estimated at 80,000 – 100,000 euros. These pieces exemplify the meeting between sculpture and functional use.
Additionally, the catalog includes a rich selection of Murano glass, with signatures like Paolo Venini, Carlo Scarpa, and Ercole Barovier, as well as rationalist furniture from the 1930s by Figini and Pollini. A series of lamps and furnishings signed by Chiesa, Scarpa, Ingrand, Sarfatti, Lelii, and Ponti testify to the breadth of the Italian design market.
Many objects are accompanied by archival authentications and historical-material analyses, a crucial element for collectors and for the segment of investment in designer furnishings. Compared to other European markets, the Milanese offer stands out for the quality and depth of the catalog.
What is the overall significance of Il Ponte’s 2025 auction calendar?
Overall, the calendar for the second half of 2025 confirms Il Ponte’s focus on philatelic rarities, figurative painting, sculpture, oriental art, and 20th-century design. The sales offer Italian and international collectors access to lots of high historical, technical, and artistic profile.
The synergy with Millon Auction Group strengthens the opening towards the French and international market, positioning Milan and Paris as complementary poles for the circulation of collectible works. In perspective, this strategy could impact market values, favoring greater visibility for the artists and segments involved.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
