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PRESS RELEASE
19.11.2014
17TH AND 18TH CENTURY GRAND DÉCOR :
A TOUR OF EUROPE
- SALE 15 DECEMBER 2014 -
Pair of torchères, Louis XVI period, circa 1780, Attributed to
Georges Jacob, Carved and gilded wood, 161 x 52 cm (estimate :
150 000 – 200 000 € / 200 000 – 265 000 $)
Large Venetian writing desk, with the Savioli-Fontana coat of
arms, mid-18th century (estimate : 200 000 – 300 000 € / 265 000
– 395 000 $)
Paris – On 15 December Artcurial will offer for sale a selection of some 120 important items of French and European furniture
from the 17th and 18th centuries.
« We have assembled a selection of 17th and 18th century French and European furniture that represents the outstanding
quality of this period of decorative arts. This will appeal to collectors looking for exceptional pieces of furniture and decorative
objects as well as new buyers wishing to acquire key pieces for the most discerning collections.” declared Isabelle Bresset,
Associate Director at Artcurial.
FRANCE
Highlights amongst the items of wooden furniture include a suite of six Regency period armchairs (estimate : 200 000 – 300
000 € / 265 000 – 395 000 $) in gilt carved wood, with period upholstery, rarely seen on the market as a set. The Louis XV
period is represented with a large and exceptional console (estimate : 60 000 – 80 000 € / 80 000 – 105 000 $), featuring
openwork composed of asymmetrical scrolls and cartouches, with shaped feet accentuated by rocaille palmettes in the style of
Jacques Verbeckt (1704-1771). A rare pair of Louis XVI period torchères (estimate : 150 000 – 200 000 € / 200 000 –
265 000 $) attributed to Georges Jacob will also be offered. These are an important testament to 1780s tastes and in particular
« à la turque » fashion, evident in the console table with sirens by Georges Jacob, at the Musée du Louvre, and the Méridienne
at the Musée Jacquemart André that has been displayed at Versailles in the 18e aux sources du design exhibition.
Also noteworthy is the Louis XV period vernis Martin bedside table (estimate : 10 000 – 15 000 € / 13 000 – 20 000 $), and the
Louis XV period commode stamped Bernard Van Risen-Burgh (BVRB II) (estimate : 100 000 – 150 000 € / 130 000 –
200 000 $). Decorated with floral marquetry veneer over a rosewood base, this recalls the work delivered to the Crown by the
merchant Hébert in the 1740s. A second commode comes from the collection of the Duke of Penthièvre of the Château
d’Anet. It bears the stamp of Léonard Boudin, and is decorated with a vernis européen that imitates Japanese lacquer
(estimate : 80 000 – 120 000 € / 105 000 – 160 000 $)
The excellence of French bronze work will also be represented by a Transition period clock by Jean-Joseph de Saint
Germain, symbolising the rape of Europe, in engraved, patinated and gilt bronze, (estimate : 60 000 – 80 000 € / 80 000 – 105
000 $). Zeus is represented in the form of a bull, flanked by a female figure and a cupid, supporting the face of the clock. The
base, decorated with palms and foliage and characteristic of the 1760s, is signed by Saint Germain (1719-1791).
ENGLAND
Coming from the United Kingdom is a Queen Anne period cabinet from the late 17th century (estimate : 100 000 – 150 000 € /
130 000 – 200 000 $). This piece is remarkable for its chinoiserie decoration, and can be compared to the work of Martin
Schnell, the most important laquerer in the Court of Dresden at the start of the 18th century. Other cabinets in this style can be
found in inventories of other European courts, notably in Portugal.
ITALY
Italian decorative arts will be represented with an outstanding lot, a writing desk built in Venice in the mid-18th century
(estimate : 200 000 – 300 000 € / 265 000 – 395 000 $) for the Savioli-Fontana family, one of the most distinguished families in
Bologna. Opulently styled, with gilt bronze ornamental figures on the top and etched mirror panels surrounded by fine rococo
bronze mouldings, this is a masterpiece of its type.
Finally, other interesting lots include a mid-18th century commode from Rome, with bold styling and contrasting geometric
marquetry, (estimate : 50 000 – 80 000 € / 65 000 – 105 000 $), a rare plate inlaid with marble and stones from the 16th century
(estimate : 40 000 – 60 000 € / 50 000 – 80 000 $) and a sculptural pair of baroque period torchères (estimate : 30 000 –
50 000 € / 40 000 – 65 000 $).
Louis XV period commode, stamped BVRB
Floral marquetry veneer over rosewood base,
with engraved, gilt bronze decoration
84 x 132 x 62 cm
Estimate : 100 000 – 150 000 € / 130 000 – 200 000 $
A suite of six Regency period armchairs, circa 1720
Carved and gilt beech and walnut
106 x 70 x 73 cm
Estimate : 200 000 – 300 000 € / 265 000 – 395 000 $
Louis XV period “The rape of Europe” clock
By Jean-Joseph de Saint Germain
Engraved, patinated, gilt bronze
57 x 46 cm
Estimate : 60 000 – 80 000 € / 80 000 – 105 000 $
English cabinet, Queen Anne period, late 17th century
Gold European lacquer on black background
236 x 115 x 51 cm
Estimate : 100 000 – 150 000 € / 130 000 – 200 000 $
**********
High-resolution images available on request
Catalogues available online at www.artcurial.com
Estimates in dollars provided as a guide
About Artcurial – Founded in 2002, Artcurial confirmed its position as the leading French auction house in 2013 with 123
sales organised across 20 specialist departments. In 2013 the auction house achieved an overall sales total of 178.1million euros, representing an increase of 24% on 2012, and notably achieved the third highest auction price of the year
in France with the sculpture La Rivière, by Aristide Maillol, that sold for over 6.1-million euros. It has also confirmed its
position as market leader for Comic Strips in Europe, Collectors’ Cars in continental Europe, jewellery and watches in France
and Monaco and Old Master Paintings in Paris. In 2014 Artcurial has continued its development and strengthened 20th Century
fields with the new Photography, Limited Editions and Tribal Art departments. With a strong international bias, Artcurial
maintains its presence abroad with offices in Milan and Brussels, and travelling exhibitions in the United States and Asia.
Sale date :
Monday 15 December 2014 at 19.00
Viewing dates :
From Friday 12 December 2014
To Monday 15 December 2014
Artcurial
7, rond-point des Champs-Elysées
75008 Paris
Contact Press :
Jean Baptiste Duquesne
Chargé des relations presse
+ 33 1 42 99 20 76
jbduquesne@artcurial.com
www.artcurial.com