The distinguished collection of Old Master Paintings, tastefully assembled by Manny Davidson over the years, perfectly encapsulates the artistic trends that defined the development of European painting from the 16th up until the early 19th century. Highlights from the group include a vigorously painted early work by Jan Boeckhorst (lot 308), a delightful bozzetto by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (lot 173), an unfinished head study of an elegant young man by Anton von Maron (lot 204) and and an alluring Portrait of a Lady by David Teniers, after a work by Palma Vecchio (lot 178).

Old Masters

The Davidson Collection stands out as one of the most significant private assemblies of Renaissance maiolica, spanning a wide range of workshops, forms, palettes and painters. Maiolica itself embodies the story of the entire Renaissance, an aesthetic sensibility and an era of intellectual rebirth adapted to all artforms, including those that were traditionally ceramic, such as dishes, bowls, serving vessels and jugs of all shapes.

A Window into the Renaissance

It doesn't take long when examining a silver collection for one to get a sense of the collector's taste. Perhaps a particular decorative style or period is the appeal, or it might focus on the work of a particular country, city or even silversmith. With the Manny Davidson Collection this takes longer; the connection between a 15th century French drinking vessel (lot 140) and a set of Queen Anne candlesticks (lot 269) is not immediately apparent. It's only when looking closely that the link jumps out: quality. Every item here is among the very best of its type; from the Morgan apostle spoons (lot 146) to the Paul Crespin bottle stands (lot 268), a fellow collector would have to wait many years to find better examples for the pieces in this sale, and in some cases it's doubtful whether they would ever be found.

A Discerning Eye

The European ceramics and glass in this collection represent Manny Davidson’s extraordinary ability to not just discover and acquire the very best objects in the materials of porcelain, pottery and glass, but to curate them in a way that provides a window into the 16th, 17th and 18th century decorative arts and illustrates the astonishing range of skills of the artists and craftsmen working in centres across Europe. Contrasts abound, from the delicate, ethereal Venetian glass goblets and bowls of the late 16th century (see lots 219-225) to the strong architectural form of the pair faience salts, made in Paris or Fontainebleu in the early 17th century (lot 138). A pair of Dutch faience leaping horses dating to circa 1765 are a rare example from the short-lived Arnhem factory (lot 307) while French porcelain is represented by a Louis XV gilt-bronze-mounted pomegranate pot-pourri vase, circa 1740, naturalistically modelled, boldly painted and attributed to the Chantilly factory (lot 180). What is clear from this wonderful variety is that each piece has undoubtedly been selected not only for its individual beauty, rarity, or provenance, but also for its broader role in the overall scheme of the collection.

European Ceramics and Glass: Beauty in Contrasts

Paris

SVP, Head of Department, Furniture

Louis-Xavier Joseph

 SVP, Vice Chairman, WW Head of European Sculpture & Works of Art

Margaret H Schwartz

International Consultant

Alexander Kader

VP, Specialist, Sculpture

Stephanie Veyron

Senior coordinator |  Furniture department | Head of sale | Silver department

Marine de Cenival

Consultant, Senior Specialist

Cynthia Harris

AVP, Specialist, Head of Department, Vertu and Gold Boxes

Alexandra Starp

SVP, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby's Europe & Co-Chairman Old Masters Worldwide

George Gordon

EVP, Chairman, Americas

George Wachter

SVP, Senior Specialist, British Paintings

Julian Gascoigne

SVP, Head of Department, 19th Century Continental Pictures

Olivier Lefeuvre

VP, International Specialist, European Ceramics and Head of Sale, Classic Design, New York

Richard Hird

Deputy Director | Collection Project Manager

Céline Deruelle

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +33 (0) 1 53 05 53 48 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:bids.paris@sothebys.com">bids.paris@sothebys.com</a>

Stay informed with Sotheby’s top stories, videos, events &amp; news.

The second part of The Manny Davidson Collection: A Life in Treasures and Benevolence, continues in the rich vein as the evening sale with a dazzling display of English and European silver and silver-gilt, Old Master, Nineteenth century and early British paintings, gold boxes and Meissen porcelain.

The Manny Davidson Collection: A Life in Treasures and Benevolence - Day Sale