COMPETENCE AND SUCCESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS

The house has been founded in 1971 by Dietrich Burkhardt Baron of Zengen as the Auktionshaus Dietrich B. von Zengen. Since 1975, his wife Christiane Yvonne has supported her husband in preparing the sales of art and auctioneering in parallel with her studies of History of Art at the University of Bonn. In 1980, the auction house changed place and moved form the Gartenstraße to its new premises in the Friedrich-Breuer-Straße in Bonn.

In September 1986, Christiane Yvonne, Baroness of Zengen, became the single owner of the auction house by the unexpected and tragic accidental death of her husband. In this personal crisis, she could count on the support of her long-standing employee Martin Ernst Warkalla who became her new business partner and associate. Together, they continued the successful path of the company. The continuous improvement of operational business made it necessary to move into more spacious and representative premises. Those have been found in the formal Ball Room of Schwarzrheindorf which has been built in the 19th Century. Its architecture and scenic location right next to the St. Clemens Church of Schwarzrheindorf have created a distinguished and representative new home for the auction house.

The early passing away of Martin Warkalla in the year 2002 has been a great professional and personal loss for the company. Christiane of Zengen remained as single owner and continued the successful course of the auction house. Her engagement contributed in positioning the auction house as an international known and respected company.

In June 2010, a new step was taken and the company completed its transfer to a new generation, thus creating a long-term basis for a successful future. The long-standing employee, Dr. Stefan Püngel, became the single owner and Chief Executive Officer of the auction house.

After his studies of Applied Microbiology and Human Genetics at the University of Frankfurt, Dr. Stefan Püngel continued his academic career by studying History of Art, Classical Archeology and History. In parallel with his studies, he made several practical experiences and gained a fundamental and effective instruction in the aspects of the national and international art market, enjoying the support and backing of mentors like Christoph Count Douglas, the formal Head of Sotheby's Germany and including important sales like those of the houses of Baden-Baden and Thurn and Taxis.

In 1998, he continued his studies at the University of Sorbonne, receiving his Master's degree, followed by the doctorate with summa cum laude. Traineeships in important museums like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay as well as in the Parisian Office of Sotheby's International offered complement to his academic and practical education.

Based on the tradition of the international respected company, VON ZENGEN Kunstauktionen GmbH & Co. KG is characterized by its high level of competence as well as by its very friendly and uncomplicated client service, enjoying the utmost confidence of its bidders and consigners. Every year, over 15.000 works of art and antiquities change owners in the four grand art and antiques sales.