T his autumn, Sotheby’s Paris is honoured to present The Manny Davidson Collection: A Life in Treasures and Benevolence, an exceptional series of auctions celebrating the extraordinary vision of a man whose insatiable curiosity and generosity left a lasting impression on the worlds of art, philanthropy, and connoisseurship.

From rediscovered Old Masters to Renaissance bronzes, 18th-century gold enamel and hardstone boxes to an automaton clock by the celebrated James Cox, the collection is a journey through centuries of artistic and technical achievement, brought together with discernment, passion, and a deeply personal sensibility. Whether acquiring a rare Apostle spoon from the reign of Henry VIII, Chippendale dining chairs, or a whimsical Daum vase, Manny Davidson was guided not by fashion, but by a profound appreciation for craftsmanship, history and beauty.

Across his homes in Paris, Monaco and Saint-Paul de Vence, these treasures coexisted in perfect harmony — silver by Paul de Lamerie beside Limoges enamels, colourful Italian maiolica and 17th-century tapestries, or a portrait by Thomas de Keyser of the famed silversmith Christian van Vianen to a William Kent giltwood bench. Each object was chosen with the same meticulous eye and intellectual curiosity, forming an ensemble that transcends category and period to reflect the singular spirit of a great collector and benevolent soul.