NEW YORK.- Christie’s will open its fall European Decorative Arts Week on October 19 with a spectacular sale of French furniture, works of art and Old Master paintings from Maurice Segoura. One of the most prestigious dealers of antiques and fine arts in Paris, Maurice Segoura closed the doors of his celebrated gallery earlier this year. The October 19 sale will feature pieces from his famed shop, as well as from his private collection. In all, over 240 examples of high French style will be offered. In addition, six important French Old Master pictures belonging to M. Segoura will be sold in the Old Master Paintings sale in New York on October 17. Maurice Segoura has always been a fervent supporter of the arts in France, and a portion of the sale will benefit the Château de Versailles. In addition, all lots estimated under $30,000 will be sold without reserve.

"It is a tremendous honor for Christie's to be holding this historic sale for Maurice Segoura, who over a long and distinguished career as one of the most celebrated antiquaires in Paris, has done so much to promote French culture and the arts," said William Strafford, Head of European Furniture and Decorative Arts in New York.

In the days leading up the October sale a public viewing of M. Segoura’s exquisite collection will be presented in an exhibition specially designed by the internationally acclaimed decorator, Juan Pablo Molyneux (who himself works at a desk he acquired from Segoura), demonstrating to a new generation of collectors the relevance of 18th century European decorative arts in fine interiors of today. “This sale reflects the taste of an extraordinary man, as we know him - Maurice Segoura, the antiquaire, M. Segoura, the connoisseur, and Maurice, the teacher and friend,” said Molyneux.

On the 31st of March of this year, Maurice Segoura closed the doors of his renowned Parisian gallery on the glamorous Place François 1er after nearly five decades in the business of antiques and fine arts. Considered by many to be among the most passionate connoisseurs and supporter of French art and antiques, M. Segoura grew to become one of the most prestigious dealers in Paris. Virtually every major collector of the 18th century, from distinguished private clients, to top museum curators, passed through his doors to admire the legendary goût Segoura. Over the years he became a trusted friend and advisor to a rarified and illustrious clientele from around the world, including such notable names as Hubert de Givenchy and Karl Lagerfeld, and titans of industry such as Baron Frère, Paul Desmarais and Edmond Safra.

Segoura: A Collection From The Ultimate Connoisseur - The breadth of this sale reflects Maurice Segoura’s impeccable taste, connoisseurship, and passion for French art. Leading the sale is an important Louis XV ormolumounted tulipwood, bois satiné and marquetry commode, circa 1750, with the mark of Jean-Pierre Latz. This sumptuous commode, with its elaborate surfaces of delicate marquetry flowers and dynamically rich ormolu mounts, is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of commodes executed by Latz and among the most anticipated items in the sale.

Other impressive offerings include a superb pair of Russian gilt-bronze console tables, with tops of a rare Italian marble, serpentina moschinata, and friezes of Revna jasper mined in Siberia and almost certainly worked by the Kolyvan Imperial stone-cutting workshop, circa 1800 (estimate: $500,000-800,000), from Segoura’s private collection. Also of note is a beautiful suite of late Louis XV giltwood seat furniture covered in its original 18th century tapestry, circa 1765, by Pierre Bara (estimate: $200,000-300,000), formerly in the collection of the duc de Caraman, at the Chateâu de Courson.

Maurice Segoura has been at the forefront of the industry since 1957 and is considered by his peers to be the premier ambassador of French works of art and antiques. Stepping into his gallery, clients were assured to find not only the finest examples of 18th century style, but also pieces with royal and prestigious provenances. Among the many pieces with a distinguished provenance offered in this sale is a royal Louis XVI giltwood demilune console, circa 1780, from the Palais des Tuileries. Expertly and crisply carved, this console is likely the work of one of the foremost makers of the period, such as Georges Jacob or Jean-Baptiste Sené.

The sale features premier examples of opulent objets d’art from Segoura’s gallery as well as his personal collection. A superb pair of patinated bronze animal groups attributed to Antonio Susini and his workshop, early 17th century (estimate: $300,000-500,000) are being offered from M. Segoura’s private collection. Other important objets d’art include a charming pair of Louis XV ormolu-mounted Japanese Arita porcelain figures, circa 1750 (estimate: $100,000-150,000). These extremely rare ormolu-mounted pieces are exemplary of the unique creative involvement of the marchand-merciers in 18th century Paris and formed part of the celebrated collection of Antenor Patiño, one of the most dazzling created in the 20th century. Also of note is a Louis XV ormolu cartel clock, circa 1745 (estimate: $80,000-120,000), by Pierre II Le Roy, with unusual scarlet-lacquered tôle panels signed by the lacquer specialist Delouvrage.

Old Master Paintings
The sale also features a selection of important Old Master paintings, with a portion of M. Segoura’s collection being offered in the October 17 sale of Old Master Paintings, also held in New York. The Old Master Paintings sale will include the six most important examples from his collection, including Interior with two ladies and a gentleman by Roland Louis Trinquesse, 1776 (estimate: $500,000-700,000); a pair of oil on canvas pictures by Jean-Françoise de Troy, entitled Vénus and Adonis and Salmacis and Hermaphrodite – the pair will be sold separately (estimate: $150,000-200,000 each); and A lady at her toilette by Nicolas Lancret (estimate: $150,000-200,000). During the main Segoura sale on the 19th, an additional 20 paintings from his collection will be offered. All the pictures from both sales will be on public view during the Segoura exhibition.

Maurice Segoura: Five Decades of Splendor
Maurice Segoura’s illustrious career began in 1957 when he started working with his father-in-law, himself a descendant of a family of antique dealers, on boulevard de Courcelles in Paris, where he trained for 11 years. In 1968, Segoura opened his own shop at 20 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, taking over the celebrated shop of Yvonne de Brémonds d’Ars. Over the course of several years he gradually acquired the building in its entirety, allowing his furniture and objets d’art to be exhibited in the magnificent spaces they so richly deserved. His gallery during this period was very aptly named, Fenêtre ouverte sur le passé – or “window open to the past.” In 1994, Segoura established his gallery in the Hotel de Clermont Tonnerre, where he remained until he closed his doors earlier this year. Built in 1880 in a Neo-Renaissance style and decorated with magnificent boiserie and parquet floors, this building on the Place François 1er was an ideal venue to showcase the magnificent treasures that inspired him.

Maurice Segoura has always been an avid supporter of the arts in France and has enabled the French museums to acquire many historically significant pieces, including the famous crystal dressing set made for the Duchesse de Berry, acquired by the Louvre in 1989.