Casa Lopez's Pierre Sauvage On Style

Sotheby's: When it comes to the art of receiving or entertaining, can one consider it a form of scenography? What did you discover in visiting the hosts in your book, what were the things that captivated you the most?

Pierre Sauvage: Yes, of course one can sometimes think in terms of scenography when it’s conceived as a production. But I like the idea of a composition, a way of arranging things that is more casual and more creative. Every single person in the book impressed me. I loved travelling from the Perche {in Normandy} to Park Avenue or to Portugal. They are all at once so different and yet so close in terms of their generosity, their singularity and their talent.

S: Which places inspire you?

PS: Generally speaking, nature inspires me: Normandy, Provence, the Mediterranean.

S: How would you define French “art de vivre”?

PS: In France, we are very fortunate to have it all, silverware, crystal, beautiful linens, exceptional cuisine. The French art de vivre is when all of that is put together with intelligence.

S: How did you go about selecting the objects to decorate the table that is being presented today? What sort of collector are you?

PS: First off all I started by choosing three strong pieces to set the tone for each table.

The mantel clock in lapis lazuli for a spring time table on the blue tablecloth with the wicker motif:

The pair of Buccellati chandeliers for a sort of summertime buffet with the green tablecloth:

The tureen in vermeil on the orange hued ikat linen, like an autumnal table with an orientalist feel:

PS: I am more of an eclectic collector (tableware, furniture, paintings), I like an accumulation of objects around the same theme which is always very chic.

S: What do you think of associating vermeil with silver on the same table?

PS: One can mix anything really, if it is done with esprit, silver and vermeil as well, the only criteria is that it works as an ensemble.

S: And what about cooking? Do you have a recipe to share with our readers?

PS: I cook every day in a fairly simple way but when I can I take great pleasure in spending time on it. And Yes – it [the recipe] is on my page in the book “Chez Eux” – in English “Be My Guest”

Pierre Sauvage's upcoming book, Be My Guest : At Home with the Tastemakers, is available here.

Past Auction

Style - Orfèvrerie et Objets de Vertu

12–20 November 2020 | 3:00 PM CET | Paris