Eppli auctions off antique furniture owned by Harald Juhnke: the last personal pieces of the popular entertainer will go under the hammer on 26 April 2025

1 April marks the twentieth anniversary of the death of Harald Juhnke (10.06.1929 - 01.04.2005), who was one of Germany's greatest entertainers and best-known actors. As a showmaster, comedian, character actor and ‘German Frank Sinatra’, he thrilled audiences for almost 50 years. As part of the Best Of Auction for Art & Antiques, Eppli will be auctioning off antique furniture from the estate of the popular entertainer on 26 April 2025. These include magnificent pieces in the Louis XVI style, which can be previewed by prior appointment at the Eppli auction hall in Leinfelden-Echterdingen.

Born in Berlin, Harald Juhnke got his start on the theatre stages of his home town. He later found his way into television and became the star of Saturday night entertainment in a dinner jacket and patent leather shoes. The fact that Eppli, based in Stuttgart, is now able to offer the Berlin veteran's antique furniture for auction is thanks to personal connections at the renowned auction house.

A question of honour

"It is a special honour for us to be able to present what are probably the last personal items from the private collection of the unforgotten Harald Juhnke to the public. We hope to find enthusiasts and collectors who will appreciate the cultural and historical value of these extraordinary pieces and preserve them for future generations," says Managing Director Ferdinand B. Eppli. Eppli

The very well-preserved furniture that will go under the hammer includes a Louis XV-style state chest of drawers, a salon table, three armchairs and a Louis XVI-style chest of drawers, a desk and a library cabinet that once adorned Juhnke's villa in Berlin-Grunewald.

Best craftsmanship, fine materials

All of the items up for sale at the special auction are proven to have been owned by the former actor. "Harald Juhnke bought the furniture together with his wife at renowned auction houses at the end of the 1980s. That was in the golden age of the antiques trade, when a richly decorated chest of drawers from the century before last still cost a fortune," explains José Juan Martinez-Garcia, an expert in antiques and arts and crafts at Eppli.

The finest craftsmanship and opulent elegance can be found in the Louis XV-style magnificent chest of drawers, which is one of the highlights of the auction. It was made in France at the end of the 19th century from rosewood, rosewood and precious woods, decorated with a fine pattern of flowers, leaves and ornamental frieze, topped with a ‘Griotte Rouge’ marble top. According to Martinez-Garcia, furniture of this quality was almost exclusively reserved for the nobility at the time.

Pieces with emotional value

The items for sale have a starting price of between 250 and 2,500 euros, including buyer's premium. For René Waldrab, head of Eppli Auktionshalle Leinfelden-Echterdingen, commercial success plays a subordinate role in this special auction: "The price that the pieces from Harald Juhnke's estate ultimately realise is of secondary importance to us. First and foremost, we are delighted with the trust placed in us by the consignor, as this speaks in our favour and our reputation. Nevertheless, we hope that the auction will meet with keen interest not only from our traditional clientele, but also from Harald Juhnke fans. For them, owning such a memento would also have a high emotional value."

The special auction of antique furniture owned by Harald Juhnke will take place as part of the Best Of Auction for Art & Antiques: 26 April 2025, 10 a.m., Eppli Auktionshalle Leinfelden-Echterdingen. A preview of the objects is possible by prior appointment.

On the Eppli website, you will receive an overview of all items to be auctioned with starting prices and further information approximately three weeks before the auction begins, and you can bid live worldwide: https://auktionen.eppli.com/

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