NEW YORK – PARIS – LONDON.-Christie’s International announced that it has been selected by the famed Parisian antique gallery Steinitz to conduct a three-city sale series of important furniture and works of art from their collection in the Fall 2007 season.

Comprising nearly 600 lots, each expressing the acclaimed eye and the love of fine objects for which they are known, the three sales are expected to realize in the region of $10 million. The first of these important sales will be held in New York on October 19, followed by November 14 in Paris, and finally December 6 in London.

Considered one of the finest and most prestigious dealers of fine arts and antiques in Paris, Bernard Steinitz first opened his gallery in 1968. He quickly became known around the world for his refined taste and his delight in discovering the rare and beautiful. This passion is shared with his son Benjamin, who joined his father’s business in 1991. Bernard Steinitz counts among his clients the world’s most important private collectors and institutions, and has long been lauded for his generosity to such institutions as the Musée du Louvre and the Israel Museum Jerusalem.

Earlier in 2007, Bernard and Benjamin Steinitz made the decision to relocate from their well-known warehouse in Saint-Ouen in favor of a new location also outside of Paris. In addition to their planned relocation, they are soon to be opening a new gallery in London on Mount Street and will be taking part in more than 10 antique and fine art fairs throughout the world in 2008, including those in Moscow, Salzburg and Shanghai, as well as the Biennale des Antiquaires.

The lots being sold by Christie’s in New York, Paris and London have been selected jointly by Bernard and Benjamin Steinitz, Christie’s specialists, and consultant Alexandre Pradère.

Le Goût Steinitz, I - Christie’s New York: October 19, 2007 - The opening sale in New York, Le Gout Steinitz I, presented a carefully edited selection of the finest examples of French craftsmanship and provided a wonderful showcase for the elegant objects and theatrical richness that define the Steinitz legendary taste. The sale offered collectors a variety of treasures - ranging from rare lacquer pieces from the Louis XV and Empire periods, to chic neo-classical pieces of unadorned mahogany, rare sculptural works of art, and spectacular examples of 19th century craftsmanship.

Typifying sumptuous neoclassical design are two spectacular bookcases in mahogany with superb ormolu mounts, originally part of the décor of Joseph Bonaparte’s hôtel Marbeuf (estimate $350,000-500,000). A Louis XVI ormolu-mounted mahogany bureau plat attributed to David Roentgen (estimate: $150,000-250,000) and a richly mounted Restauration center table from the period of Napoleon III (estimate: $120,000-180,000) are also of particular note.

The sale is particularly rich in lacquer pieces including a rare Chinese Export black and gilt-lacquer bureau cabinet, circa 1760, (estimate: $150,000-250,000) that is one of the richest examples known of Chinese case pieces made for export to the West. The full theatrical richness of le goût Steinitz is also exhibited in a spectacular pair of Venetian mirrors (estimate: $70,000-100,000). Richly encrusted with colored glass cabochons and flowers these mirrors combine the most celebrated aspects of Venetian craftsmanship at the height of the rococo period: extravagant carving in wood and intricate glass blowing.

Of the wonderful examples of 19th century elegance and craftsmanship is a pair of French patinated-bronze, ormolu and porphyry nine-light candelabra (estimate: $100,000-150,000). Known as “les grands faunes”, the models for these iconic candelabra have been sought after and admired for more than 200 years. A superb pair of 19th century giltwood consoles with rare Roman marble tops of Breccia di Serravezza is also among the top highlights (estimate: $250,000-400,000). And of note among the rare sculptural works of art presented is a pair of carved marble busts of infant moors (estimate: $250,000-400,000).

Le Goût Steinitz, II - Christie’s Paris: November 14, 2007 - Over the years, the Steinitz gallery has become well-known for their elaborate installations that serve as brilliant backdrops to their many treasures. Their flare for the theatrical can be seen in the grand wood-paneled rooms they erect at the many fairs in which they participate each year and will serve as inspiration for the exhibition surrounding the November 14 sale at Christie’s in Paris. The Paris sale will feature a broad range of pieces - many in unrestored condition - giving an incredible opportunity to collectors at many levels of the market.

Among the highlights of this sale is a spectacular Louis XV lacquer coffer said to be from the collection of Duc Louis-Henri de Boubon (1692-1740), the 7th Prince de Condé, the grandson of Louis XIV. Estimated at €180,000-250,000, this sumptuous piece is among the finest examples of craftsmanship of the European lacquer workshops. Its lock plate of finely chased gilt bronze bears the arms of the Condé family.

From the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, an exceptional Napoleon III ormolu mounted brass and tortoiseshell marquetery billiard table, signed and dated Henry Dasson, 1877, (estimate:€150,000-250,000). And an important ormolu-mounted Japanese lacquer cartonnier attributed to Joseph baumhauer, estimated €150,000-250,000 is also of particular note.

Also of particular note is the Louis XV carved and painted portico from the celebrated collection of Arturo Lopez Wilshaw (estimate: €40,000-60,000).

Le Goût Steinitz, III - Christie’s London: December 6, 2007 - Always in search of eclectic and one-of-a-kind treasures, Bernard and Benjamin Steinitz have long been known for their unrivaled ability to bring together the most marvelous objets d’art from a wide variety of periods and origins. The ‘Grand Finale’ of the three-stage sale on December 6 at Christie’s King Street salerooms will thus present an exceptional mix of masterpieces from the 17th, 18th and 19th century reflecting this wide spectrum of connoisseurship and taste.

Highlights of this sale include an important bronze group, Hercules and the Centaur Nessus, from the early 18th century (estimate: £200,000-300,000) as well as a magnificent ormolumounted commode with sophisticated parquetry in kingwood, amaranth and sycamore, attributed to Martin Carlin, circa 1780-85 (£180,000-250,000). The Steinitz eye for exquisit materials and superb craftsmanship will also be represented by a spectacular late 17th/ early 18th century Italian landscape panel in pietra dura (estimate £35,000-55,000), as well as a set of three sophisticated Augsburg boulle marquetry panels from the late 17th century (estimate: £40,000-60,000) which contrast beautifully with a fully fitted games coffer in striking ivory, mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell parquetry by Alphonse Giroux of circa 1840 (estimate: £40,000-60,000).

Le Goût Steinitz I – New York October 19, 2007. Le Goût Steinitz II – Paris November 14, 2007. Le Goût Steinitz III – London December 6, 2007.