Celebrating Three Centuries of Decorative Arts

From a Private European Collection. A set of turned and carved ivory, ebony and lignum vitae objects.
Estimates from €1,500 to €35,000.

Europe’s interest for curiosities and its inventive spirit during the late Renaissance motivated certain countries to begin making ivory artefacts using a lathe. Southern Germany, most notably the centre of Nuremberg, was a major production centre, as well as France. This art of crafting with one of the most valuable materials became an aristocratic and princely pastime, practiced by the Emperors Charles V, Rudolph II and Ferdinand II Habsburg, among others.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A rare collection of sixty-three Sainte-Lucie ‘bois de bagard’ objects, Nancy, late 17th/early 18th century.
Estimate €65,000–100,000.

This wood from the Lorraine region, taken from a kind of very dense cherry tree called Sainte-Lucie, was used for the production of everyday objects, finely crafted and adorned with scrollwork, arabesques and foliage. The first objects made of this wood had religious connotations but it went on to be used for a multitude of secular objects.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A gilt bronze clock ‘au rhinocéros’, Louis XV, circa 1745-1749, the dial and the movement signed Pérache/AParis, marked with the crowned C.
Estimate €50,000–70,000.

In the middle of the 18th century, a female rhinoceros from India named Clara, the fifth to arrive alive in modern Europe, was exhibited in several major cities and made a triumphal tour around the continent. Like the elephant and the monkey, the rhinoceros was quickly integrated into the decorative arts repertory.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A set of Louis XVI gilt-bronze and painted tôle objects, last quarter 18th century.
Estimates from €3,000 to €15,000.

The auction includes a spectacular selection of Louis XVI objects comprising: a pair of paperweights, a probably Austrian silver and gilt-bronze candlestick circa 1775, an inkstand, a pink tôle vase, a pair of painted tôle vases attributed to the metal varnish manufacture ‘La Petite Pologne’, a pair of chenets and a pair of candlesticks circa 1775.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A Meissen porcelain vase, circa 1745-1750, with gilt-bronze mounts, Louis XV, attributed to Jean-Claude Duplessis.
Estimate €80,000–120,000.

The scenes on this vase, often described during the 18th century as “à la manière de Watteau”, are directly inspired by Jean-Baptiste Patter’s artworks: Le colin-maillard (‘Blind Man’s Bluff’, housed in the Wallace Collection, London) and Le baiser rendu (‘The Kiss Returned’, housed at the Portland Art Museum, Oregon, USA). This type of porcelain, with a ground of relief forget-me-nots and cartouches is relatively rare.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A gilt-bronze mounted tulipwood, satiné, amaranth and kingwood marquetry secrétaire à abattant, late Louis XV, stamped JOSEPH, circa 1770.
Estimate €50,000–80,000.

Considered one of the greatest cabinetmakers during Louis XV’s reign along with B.V.R.B., Joseph Baumhauer was known for his excellence with marquetry and the chiselling of his bronzes. This secretary desk, albeit simple, is a perfect example.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A gilt-bronze mounted mahogany commode, Louis XV, circa 1760, by Jean-François Oeben.
Estimate €60,000–100,000.

The terminology “commode à la grecque” refers to a specific model developed by Jean-François Oeben, appointed cabinetmaker of Madame de Pompadour. It possesses an elaborate locking system, a single lock controlling all the drawers and door panels along the façade.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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Two Paris porcelain vases, from the Comte d’Artois manufactory, dated 1783.
Estimate €15,000–25,000.

One of these vases, dated 8 February 1783, was certainly offered to King Louis XVI and exhibited in his apartments. The second , dated 8 March 1783, may have been offered to the Comte d’Artois, or perhaps to the King again, to serve as a pair for the first, their presence together currently supports this second theory.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A gilt-bronze mounted satiné and amaranth veneered commode, Transition Louis XV/Louis XVI, by Jean-Henri Riesener.
Estimate €50,000–70 000.

Elisabeth Philippe Marie Hélène de France, known as Madame Elisabeth, daughter of Dauphin Louis and granddaughter of Louis XV, was born on 3 May 1764. She lived in Versailles where she had delivered on 14 January 1779, a commode created by Jean-Henri Riesener for her apartment’s bathroom. The inventory for Versailles from the years 1778 to 1783 in France’s National Archives bears a long caption matching this commode.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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A pair of gilt-bronze mounted red relacquered wood covered vases forming pots-pourris, Louis XVI, circa 1780.
Estimate €70,000–100,000.

A pot-pourri was used to spread a sweet smell throughout a room, using aromatics that were thrown in and mixed with scented water. Among lacquered objects, those in red are rarer and were particularly appreciated.

Important Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'art
11 April | Paris

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