New world record for J.A.G. Acke's "Eastern Salt" – sold for SEK 1,350,000

On Monday afternoon, September 25th, a new world record was set for J.A.G. Acke's monumental "Eastern Salt" at Stockholms Auktionsverk. The iconic art piece, with an asking price set at 800,000-1,000,000 SEK, went under the gavel before a packed auction hall at Nybrogatan 32 in Stockholm and was sold for 1,350,000 SEK after intense bidding.

"We are so pleased to be able to sell this culturally and historically important work, and more than happy to do so at a record setting price. The interest in this collection has been overwhelming, and we hope to see more of this fantastic artistry at future auctions," says Cecilia Berggren, art specialist at Stockholms Auktionsverk and coordinator of the auction.

Other top lots included Acke's sketch for the Swedish National Museum staircase, "Swedenborg's Vision", which generated a price of 380,000 SEK compared to the asking of 40,000 SEK. A pair of original photographs depicting the cultural personalities Verner von Heidenstam, Gustaf Fröding, and Albert Engström attracted several bidders and were eventually sold for 48,000 SEK, asking price at 2,000 SEK. Last but not least among the auction's pictorial highlights – the atmospheric painting "Dusk" which was sold for 75,000 SEK, against an asking of 30,000 SEK.

"We are proud to have conveyed this unique collection, consisting of a broad, multifaceted, and somewhat forgotten artistry. It is particularly gratifying that the auction was so successful, with both curious private collectors and committed museums – trying to win one of the exciting objects."

Submissions are now underway for this fall's Modern & Contemporary auction, which will be held on November 13–14th at Nybrogatan 32 in Stockholm.