LONDON.- Christie’s announces The Collector sales this spring to be offered across two auctions comprising The Collector: Online from 29 April to 20 May and The Collector: Live on 19 May at Christie’s King Street. The Collector sales bring together the finest examples of European and English furniture, works of art, silver, ceramics and gold boxes representing the celebrated makers and high craftsmanship from the 17th – 19th centuries.
This season, Christie’s have collaborated with Tastemaker and former Artistic Director of Oscar de la Renta, Peter Copping. Peter’s illustrious career in fashion has seen him work with some of the most prestigious fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci and Sonia Rykiel. Peter’s love of antiques meanwhile grew from an early age and his own fervour for decorative arts has led him to become an avid collector. Peter’s collection is an integral part of the magnificent interiors he and his partner have created within their manor house, La Carlière, in Normandy, France. Peter has opened the doors to his home, a 17th century chateau which he has been renovating over the last twelve years to curate lots from The Collector sales to furnish and decorate six pivotal rooms, as reimagined in mixed media paintings by specialist interiors portraitist SJ Axelby.
The carefully chosen lots lend themselves to the romantic interior design scheme, combining both an English and a French aesthetic. The interiors deftly mix decorative arts with contemporary 21st century pieces, combining rich textiles, soft furnishings (including his own brand of Haute cushions named after his home La Carlière) alongside ornate mirrors, paintings and an abundance of seasonal flowers.
Tastemaker Peter Copping comments, ‘Growing up I was influenced by my parents and their great passion for antiques. My own collection of decorative arts has grown over the years and evolved from purchases in each location I lived. Surrounding myself with beautiful and meaningful objects in my home brings me great joy. Designing the interiors at La Carlière has been a 12 year process to create a home and so the opportunity to browse The Collector sales carte blanche has inspired me to revisit my surroundings which are a reflection of my personal style and character. The Collector is probably my ultimate spiritual home where I am surrounded by 17th to 19th century works of great beauty’.
Peter Copping, continues, ‘I have been able to build my collection over the years from antique fairs, flea markets as well as at auction. I have always found that an auction room offers a wealth of rare and unique pieces and this continues to attract me. My home includes both an English sensibility, reflecting my roots, with bohemian fabrics and English furniture but also more formal French pieces. One of my vices is how many porcelain services we own. We seem to have developed an obsession for tableware so I adore the Indian Basket weave part dinner service, the Elizabeth II silver table service and the charming Chelsea porcelain Hen & Chick tureen included in the auction. I am very much looking forward to being able to entertain my friends once again this summer, with my table decorations as a centerpiece and talking point’.
Alison Grey, Specialist and Head of Sale comments, ‘Buying at auction allows one not only to acquire the finest and most expertly crafted works of art – it is also the most authentic route to sustainably furnishing your interiors, each object with history and story to tell. What was once the domain of private European interiors, the Decorative Arts are now recognized by buyers the world over, particularly new clients in the US and Asia who are making a conscious decision to buy via auction. Buyers whether new collectors, interior designers or decorators, are increasingly mixing periods and investing in 17th through to 19th century works which are dressed alongside 21st century furnishings to great effect as Peter Copping demonstrates in his own home’.
The Collector: Live sale comprises approximately 250 lots which showcase furniture, works of art, porcelain, silver, and gold boxes selected for their distinctive quality, discerning provenance and superior craftsmanship. It includes the very best of European decorative arts, drawing together a myriad of styles from the high Rococo of Louis XVI, to the English Regency and into the Japanese-inspired and revivalist motifs of the 19th century. Estimates for The Collector: Live range from £2,000 - £250,000.
The Collector: Online comprises approximately 150 lots covering all aspects of the decorative arts dating from the 17th to the 20th century including works by the famed English silversmith Paul Storr, the French 18th century ébéniste Georges Jacob, and 19th century marchand-éditeurs Escalier de Cristal, with a particular emphasis on dining including pieces by Meissen, Herend and Baccarat.
The Collector: Online is open for bidding from 29 April to 20 May. Estimates for The Collector: Online range from £300 - £25,000.
