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About Ahlden castle
Ahlden castle was built between 1579 and 1698, combining elements of the Renaissance and the Baroque. In 1694 Princess Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg was exiled to the castle by her husband Georg Ludwig of Hanover, who later became King George I. of Great Britain. During the 19th century until 1972 the castle served as a district court. In 1975 the art dealers Florian and Karin Seidel bought the castle and restored it. The first auction took place that same year. In 2018 the castle was sold to the art historian Daniel and Magdalena Cremene who continue to run the auction house and open the castle for cultural events and tourism.
1579
Ahlden Castle was built as a water castle from 1579 to 1698. It was made famous by its inhabitant Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg, the "Princess of Ahlden" and uncrowned Queen of Great Britain.
1975
The Berlin-born couple Karin and Florian Seidel founded Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden GmbH and quickly took it to the top of the German auction houses. Extensive restoration work was carried out. The continued preservation of the historically important building is generated to this day by the income from the auctions in the castle.
2018
A young generation took over the company and the castle. The new owners are the family Magdalena and Daniel Cremene. A stroke of luck for the castle and a success story for the auction house!
Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1666 - 1726) was the only daughter and heiress of Georg Wilhelm, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, of the Guelph dynasty. Her marriage to her cousin, Duke Georg Ludwig of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1660-1727) was unhappy, but nevertheless they had two children. The princess tried to escape her unhappiness through a love affair with Count Philipp Christoph von Königsmarck. When this became public, it developed into a state affair. Sophie Dorothea was confined to Ahlden Castle in 1694, the marriage was divorced, and the husband later went to London where he ascended the throne as King George I of Great Britain in 1714. Their son ascended the English throne in 1727 as King George II. (1683-1760); her grandson was King Frederick II of Prussia (1712-1786).
Jacques Vaillant, Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg with her children. Oil on canvas, c. 1690. ©️ Residenzmuseum im Celler Schloss. Photo: Fotostudio Loeper, Celle.
About Kunstauktionshaus
Schloss Ahlden
Built in 1579 as a water castle, Schloss Ahlden today houses the international Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden GmbH, run by the Magdalena and Daniel Cremene family. With its more than 4oo years of history and its historic buildings, Schloss Ahlden offers an equally beautiful and authentic stage for international art and antiques.
With competence, a high level of commercial expertise and a trusting, close personal contact with its customers, the art auction house Schloss Ahlden, founded in 1975, quickly advanced to the top of the German auction houses due to its location and is a centre of attraction for art lovers, collectors, museums and the leading art trade from Germany and abroad. Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden is a member of the Federal Association of German Art Auctioneers (BDK).
With competence, a high level of commercial expertise and a trusting, close personal contact with its customers, the art auction house Schloss Ahlden, founded in 1975, quickly advanced to the top of the German auction houses due to its location and is a centre of attraction for art lovers, collectors, museums and the leading art trade from Germany and abroad. Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden is a member of the Federal Association of German Art Auctioneers (BDK).
Today, an experienced team of several art historians provides competent advice and support to our (private) clients and institutions. With extensive experience, worldwide contacts to recognised experts and profound knowledge of the international art market, our catalogues are compiled with scientific standards. Supported by our in-house photo studio, the art objects are presented adequately and meaningfully in our print and online catalogues as well as on the most important international auction platforms. The representative office in Berlin is available to our clients for handling consignments and purchases.
Our incentive with every art auction is to offer our clients a diverse and interesting selection, with the emphasis on quality and reasonable prices. The individual collection focal points of our steadily growing number of customers are particularly close to our hearts and we are happy to advise you on building up or adding to your collection as well as furnishing your domicile.
If you would like to sell your private collection, special collection or (collector's) estate through Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden, you will find us a professional partner.
Our incentive with every art auction is to offer our clients a diverse and interesting selection, with the emphasis on quality and reasonable prices. The individual collection focal points of our steadily growing number of customers are particularly close to our hearts and we are happy to advise you on building up or adding to your collection as well as furnishing your domicile.
If you would like to sell your private collection, special collection or (collector's) estate through Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden, you will find us a professional partner.
Meet the team
Anna-Maria Rumland
Specialist
+491564-8010117
info@schloss-ahlden.de
info@schloss-ahlden.de
Dr. Andreas Heger
Specialist
+491564-80100
info@schloss-ahlden.de
info@schloss-ahlden.de
Dr. Martin Kruse
Specialist
+491564-8010129
info@schloss-ahlden.de
info@schloss-ahlden.de
