PARIS.- Sotheby’s Paris presented the prestigious Art Nouveau glass collection of Swiss collector Francis Meyer, achieving a total of €2,824,920 in sales. Carefully curated over fifteen years, the collection features 228 pieces, including works by renowned artists Émile Gallé and the Daum brothers, offering a comprehensive look at the peak of Art Nouveau glassmaking.
Cécile Tajan, Head of Sale Design, remarked, “Francis Meyer was a passionate collector, assembling one of the finest privately-owned collections of 1900s glassware in Europe. It was a privilege to introduce collectors to this universe, featuring the most illustrious names in Art Nouveau glassmaking.”
Highlights and Museum Acquisitions
The auction drew attention with several notable sales. Two pieces (lots 34 and 69) were acquired by the Musée d’Orsay, and another (lot 57) went to the Musée de l’École de Nancy, underscoring the cultural significance of the collection.
Among the standout items was Émile Gallé’s Coupe Conque à la Libellule (lot 3), created circa 1884–1889, which sold for €49,200, doubling its initial estimate. Gallé’s Vase Hippocampe (lot 56) fetched an impressive €148,000, more than six times its low estimate.
Additional Remarkable Sales
Other noteworthy pieces include:
• The Vase Hellébore by Émile Gallé (lot 12), sold for €48,000, more than twice its estimate.
• Gallé’s Soliflore Chauve-souris et Pins (lot 24), which achieved €62,400.
• The Daum brothers’ Vase Tulipe et Œillets (lot 36) sold for €45,600.
• Gallé’s Vase Écume de mer (lot 53) and Vase Carpe (lot 54) reached €45,600 and €31,200 respectively.
• The Vase Coprins by Gallé (lot 59) exceeded its estimate, selling for €38,400.
• Vase Arbres (lot 91) by Gallé fetched €60,000, while Le plus petit cri ne tombe pas dans le néant (lot 94) sold for €56,400.
• The Vase Chardon des Alpes by Gallé (lot 100) more than doubled its low estimate, achieving €42,000.
The auction highlighted the enduring appeal of Art Nouveau glasswork, with collectors and museums alike vying for these rare and exquisite pieces. The sale cements Francis Meyer’s collection as a cornerstone of European Art Nouveau heritage.
