PARIS.- Four tapestries on a Bacchanalian theme commissioned by Cardinal Mazarin and presented as a diplomatic gift by Louis XIV to the First Minister of Spain Don Luis Mendes de Haro, Marquis de Carpio was the leading lot at Bonhams Classics Sale in Paris on Thursday 17 November. Estimated at €70,000-100,000, they sold for €164,175 to the Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson in Madrid (Spain). This first Classics sale at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris achieved a total of €742,039.

The four panels are entitled A concert of Satyrs and Maenads; Council of the Gods and Goddesses; The Procession of Silenus and The Companions of Bacchus. The original designs for the set made for Francois Ist were almost certainly executed by Giulio Romano and Barthélémy Guetty. probably Manufacture du Louvre, workshop of Pierre and Jean Lefevre, circa 1648-1659.

Nette Megens, Bonhams Director of Decorative Arts for Europe and UK, said: “We are delighted to see that these wonderful panels representing an intriguing and important discovery have been bought by the Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson. We saw a particularly high level of interest and bidding from new clients, including a significant number from France. A noticeable change in the market for Classics is that we are welcoming collectors who buy across a range of categories, driven by quality, and these collectors are adding a new energy to certain sectors such as Old Master paintings, furniture and porcelain. We are now preparing our Classics spring edition.”

Other sale highlights included:

• A pair of paintings showing David and Abigail; Jael showing Barak the body of Sisera by the Master of the Adoration of Anvers (circa 1505-1530) made €94,875 (Estimate: €25,000-35,000).

• An extensive reference library relating to Meissen porcelain, European porcelain, ceramics and decorative arts containing 750 books and catalogues was sold for €46,995 (Estimate: €10,000-15,000). The buyer has decided to make it publicly available.

• A Sèvres green-ground part tea service dated 1827 made €29,325 (Estimate: €1,500-2,000).

• A near pair of Louis XV ormolu-mounted tulipwood, amaranth and fruitwood marquetry and parquetry commodes, one bearing the stamp of Pierre Harry Mewesen was sold for €38,175.

• A large and rare Vienna white figure of the Apostle Paul, third quarter 18th century sold for €15,300 (Estimate €4,000-6,000).