LONDON.- Christie’s announced The Collector sale taking place live on 15 July, offering a wide array of the finest European and English furniture, works of art, ceramics, silver and gold boxes spanning the 17th Century to the end of the 19th Century. The sale comprises 253 lots featuring some of the greatest designers and makers of their time including Jacques Dubois, François Rémond, Gioacchino Barberi, François Linke, Christofle, Marsh and Tatham amongst others.

This season Christie’s partnered with Kit Kemp, Founder and Creative Director of Firmdale Hotels as a Tastemaker on The Collector. Kit is passionate about creating exciting and unique interiors. Kit is an author, a successful textiles, homewares & fragrance designer and respected champion of British art. Over the years Kit Kemp has forged an internationally-acclaimed reputation and is celebrated for her individual and original approach to the way she transforms and arranges buildings, with colourful and detailed storytelling in her design. Here, Kit has reimagined her favourite pieces from the auction within ten contemporary interiors showcasing her identifiable style and flair for mixing antique pieces with modern textiles and soft furnishings.

Kit Kemp comments, “I am a passionate advocate of sustainability and my design ethos reflects this not only within the portfolio of Firmdale Hotels, but also in my own creative design approach. I continually look at how to re-position contemporary design pieces but importantly, how they can sit with 18th and 19th century pieces. The Collector reflects furniture and works of art which can be reimagined in a contemporary interior in 2020 having been painstakingly created by artisan’s through the centuries using highly skilled craftsmanship. These antique treasures give strength and depth of character to a contemporary interior. I find the juxtaposition of new and old give contrast and a joyous spirit to my rooms. A fine piece will always draw the eye and satisfy all the senses”.

Kit continues, “I am a collector of many things, including 18th Century Irish furniture, and I particularly love embroidery and textiles from 17th Century onwards. In my own home I have a desk from the 18th Century next to a specially commissioned 20th Century lamp base which is an example of how to embrace the past and the contemporary in your home today”.

Among the many highlights, a number of lots selected by Kit Kemp are reimagined by the Kit Kemp Design Studio within contemporary interiors including in situ at locations within Firmdale Hotels in inspired, contemporary surroundings.

Paul Gallois, Head of Sale observes, “It is refreshing to see how The Collector brings together extraordinary pieces from pivotal periods in history and how they can transcend a traditional setting centuries later working alongside contemporary pieces as seamlessly as they might have in a period property. The longevity of the pieces further goes to demonstrate that the skills and craftsmanship of the age are now the ultimate symbol of sustainability and elegance, retaining their usefulness and being an integral, yet elegant part of a modern day interior”.

The Collector auction, being held at King Street in London, is part of the hybrid, marquee series of Classic Week sales, both online and live from 1 – 29 July.

Highlights from the sale include:




Important Royal & Aristocratic Provenance
The Collector sale comprises many pieces across categories with important royal and aristocratic provenance including Lot 83, a Meissen porcelain Royal armorial tea bowl and saucer from the service for Christian VI of Denmark circa (1730-35). The saucer is decorated with the crowned Royal Arms of Denmark and the bowl depicts a finely painted river landscape. Probably given by Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, to King Christian VI of Denmark. (estimate £7,000-10.000).

Lot 13, A royal Louis XV ormolu-mounted, gilt-tooled, red-leather travel case by Pierre Vente, third quarter 18th Century. The rare royal leather coffer was almost certainly delivered by the Menus Plaisirs for the use of the Filles de France, daughters of Louis XV. (estimate £10,000-15,000).

Lot 10, a Restauration silvered brass and engraved, polished steel razor by Cheneaux, circa 1815-30. Engraved with the coat-of-arms of the duc d'Angoulême. Almost certainly commissioned for Louis-Antoine de France, duc d'Angoulême (1775-1844). (estimate £3,000-5,000).

Lot 207, a German parcel-gilt silver four-piece garniture stamp of Wilhelm Lameyer Hanover, circa 1878. Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover and Duke of Cumberland (1845-1923) and Princess Thyra of Denmark (1853-1933), (estimate £50,000-80,000).

Lot 16, a late Louis XV ormolu-mounted tulipwood and fruitwood parquetry commode, circa 1760, (estimate £5,000-8,000).

Lot 9, a Chinese export lacquer games box, circa 1740, the top is decorated with a cartouche centered by the royal arms of France. Probably commissioned for Louis XV, circa 1737, (estimate £3,000-5,000).

Lot 8, a pair of Louis XV ormolu candlesticks, mid-18th Century. Each nozzle cast with the coat-of-arms of Louis Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of Condé (1736-1818), (estimate £12,000-18,000).

Lot 216, two George III Silver Wine Coolers. Mark of Paul Storr, London, 1812 and 1814. Later engraved twice on the body with a coat-of-arms within the Garter motto beneath the marquess’ coronet. The arms are those of Paget, for Henry Paget, 2nd Earl of Uxbridge and 1st Marquess of Anglesey K.G. (1768-1854). (estimate £30,000-50,000).

Lot 231, a magnificent Louis-Philippe silver-gilt and porcelain tea service, in a black leather case. By tradition given by Louis-Philippe (1773-1850), King of France, to Abdulmejid I (1823-1861), Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, (estimate £15,000-25,000).