A Treasure Trove of Decorative Arts

Christie’s is currently presenting its October 2024 online sales series, ‘Collections’, spanning New York, London, and Paris.

This highly anticipated series of sales is a veritable feast for collectors and enthusiasts of decorative arts, offering an unparalleled selection of pieces from notable private collections dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries.

A Global Celebration of Artistry

The ‘Collections’ series captivates the art world with its diverse array of European, English, and 19th-century furniture, alongside exquisite works of art, silver, ceramics, glass, clocks, and gold boxes. With estimates ranging from no reserve to an impressive £190,000, the auctions cater to a wide spectrum of collectors, from budding enthusiasts to seasoned connoisseurs.

Eager bidders and art aficionados have been browsing the catalogues since 4 October for the New York and London sales and since 9 October for the Paris auction. The bidding windows have been carefully staggered to accommodate global participation, with New York and London running from 9 to 22 and 23 October, and Paris from 16 to 29 October. This strategic scheduling ensures that collectors worldwide can engage with the full breadth of offerings across all three prestigious locations.

Paris: The Robert Couturier Collection

A particular highlight of the Paris auction, running from 16 to 29 October, is the extraordinary collection of renowned interior designer Robert Couturier. Hailing from his 17th-century Normandy property, this collection comprises over 160 lots, presenting an eclectic mix of furniture, objets d’art, and paintings that epitomise Couturier’s unique vision and discerning eye.

Despite his four-decade tenure in New York, Couturier’s passion for 18th-century French style has remained the guiding force behind his designs and acquisitions. His collection is a masterclass in French elegance, seamlessly blending taste, materials, and colours to create harmonious and inviting ensembles.

Highlights from the Couturier Collection

Among the standout pieces from Couturier’s collection are works by renowned French cabinet-makers and carpenters of the 18th century. These include a Regency ormolu-mounted rosewood commode attributed to Etienne Doirat (estimate: €25,000-40,000) and a pair of Louis XV armchairs stamped by Jean Gourdin, circa 1755 (estimate: €15,000-25,000). Works by Pierre Migeon and Nicolas Heurtaut further enhance the collection’s prestige.

The collection also features a striking juxtaposition of periods, with modernist pieces such as a Jean-Michel Frank straw marquetry four-leaf folding screen (estimate: €30,000-50,000) standing proudly alongside 18th-century masterpieces.

Art enthusiasts will be drawn to a series of portraits that form part of the Couturier collection, including a charming ‘Portrait of Eleanor Gordon’ by Gilbert Stuart (estimate: €40,000-60,000), an impressive full-length ‘Portrait of a man’ by Gilbert Jackson (estimate: €30,000-50,000), and a colourful portrait of Elizabeth Dorme from the 17th-century English school (estimate: €20,000-30,000). These carefully curated pieces offer a glimpse into the unique taste and vision of Robert Couturier, a true master of interior design.

New York: A Trio of Northeast Collections

The New York auction shines a spotlight on three remarkable Northeast collections, each with its own distinct character and focus. The estate of Glenn C. Randall, recognised as one of America’s foremost English furniture dealers, leaves behind a collection that showcases his discerning taste and encyclopaedic knowledge. Spanning from the early Charles II era to the Regency period, many pieces boast important provenances, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire historically significant items.

Dr Jeffrey Lant, a multifaceted individual known as a marketing guru, author, news-media personality, and Harvard-trained educator, assembled a collection that reflects his passion for early 19th-century artefacts. With a particular focus on pieces with illustrious provenances, Lant’s collection features an impressive array of silver, clocks, and decorative objects from the Empire and Directoire periods.

This auction marks Christie’s first offering from the Peter Van Slyke collection, widely regarded as one of the most important assemblages of Dutch Delft in America. Over two dozen lots will be presented, including exceptional pieces such as a rare puzzle jug and cover adorned with commedia dell’arte figures, a massive blue and white vase by Samuel van Eenhoorn, a figural tulip vase, and a tankard dated 1707 bearing the arms of Augustus the Strong. Unusual forms like Buddhas, wig stands, and wine coolers further enhance the collection’s appeal. This initial offering is but a tantalising glimpse of the Van Slyke collection, with more treasures to be unveiled in future auctions.

Additional Highlights

The New York sale further enriches its offerings with a diverse selection of lots from various collectors and connoisseurs, including 19th-century sculpture, European silver from a private collector, and a group of Russian works by Fabergé.

Standout pieces include a set of four early Louis XV gilt-walnut fauteuils, circa 1730-1740 (estimate: $30,000-50,000), a Dutch Delft polychrome commedia dell’arte puzzle-jug and cover (fopkan), circa 1740-1760 (estimate: $70,000-100,000), a pair of George III giltwood settees, circa 1770 (estimate: $40,000-60,000), and a Regency silver soup tureen and cover, mark of Paul Storr, London, 1814 (estimate: $15,000-25,000).

London: Harewood House and Beyond

The London ‘Collections’ sale features an exceptional array of items, with a particular focus on property from the Earl of Harewood and the 7th Earl of Harewood’s Will Trust, originating from the renowned Harewood House. Recognised as one of England’s most splendid stately homes, Harewood House was built and furnished for Edwin Lascelles (1712-1795) between 1760 and 1780. The project engaged some of the greatest architects and craftsmen of the time, including John Carr and Robert Adam.

Perhaps most notably, the celebrated cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale was commissioned to furnish and decorate the entirety of the house in what would become his largest and most important commission. The London sale presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire items from this historic project.

Chippendale Masterpieces

Leading the Harewood House offerings are exquisite pieces by Thomas Chippendale, including a suite of four green-painted and parcel-gilt open armchairs, circa 1770-1772 (estimate: £100,000-200,000) and a pair of George III parcel-gilt and blue-painted window seats, circa 1770-1772 (estimate: £50,000-100,000).

These pieces, supplied to the 1st Baron Harewood (1712-95), have remained in the collection since their creation, with the window seats likely furnished for Lady Harewood’s Dressing Room.

Additional European Treasures

The London sale further enriches its offerings with a selection of European, English, and 19th-century furniture, porcelain, silver, gold boxes, and works of art dating from the 16th to 20th centuries.

Highlights from other private collections include a pair of royal Louis XV ormolu wall-lights, attributed to Jacques Caffieri, circa 1750 (estimate: £50,000-80,000), from a Private Roman Apartment Overlooking the Tiber, a Louis XV ormolu-mounted Japanese black and gilt-lacquer bureau de pente by Jacques Dubois, mid-18th century (estimate: £100,000-150,000), formerly part of the collection of Mr and Mrs Deane Johnson of Bel Air, California, and a Louis XV ormolu-mounted dressing-table by Léonard Boudin, circa 1765-70 (estimate: £20,000-30,000), previously in the collection of Baroness Mathilde von Rothschild.

A Testament to Expertise and Heritage

The ‘Collections’ sales in London, New York, and Paris are a testament to Christie’s unparalleled expertise in the field of decorative arts. The specialists working on these auctions collectively share more than 400 years of experience, underscoring the auction house’s commitment to excellence and its deep-rooted connection to the world of fine art and antiques.

The Decorative Arts are fundamental to the DNA of Christie’s. These October sales showcase not only the breadth and depth of their offerings but also the enduring appeal of fine craftsmanship and artistry across centuries. The diversity of collections presented in these auctions reflects the global nature of the art market today, offering collectors worldwide the opportunity to acquire pieces of exceptional quality and provenance.

The inclusion of items from Harewood House, particularly the Chippendale pieces, adds a layer of historical significance to the London sale. These auctions are not just about acquiring beautiful objects; they’re about owning a piece of history.

As the art world engages with these October auctions, it’s clear that Christie’s ‘Collections’ series is once again setting the standard for excellence in the realm of decorative arts. With its carefully curated selection of items spanning centuries and continents, this global event is captivating collectors, enthusiasts, and historians alike, further cementing Christie’s position as a leader in the international art market.

Images: Christie’s

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