LONDON.- Christie’s announced the sale of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Guest’s Collection, which will be offered in the 500 years: Decorative Arts Europe sale on 22 April in Paris. The decoration of the Guest’s estate, overlooking the Parc Monceau, was created by the famous interior designer Emilio Terry in the mid 1960’s. Highlights include two works designed by Emilio Terry: a marble neoclassical fireplace (estimate: €8.000-12.000) and a unique magnificent carpet (estimate: €20.000-30.000), as well as an 18th century royal encoignure by the celebrated cabinet maker Jean-Henri Riesener for the Château de Compiègne, which embodies the Louis-XVI style (estimate: €20.000-30.000). Comprising approximately 200 works the remarkable collection is expected to realise in the region of €1 million.
Simon de Monicault, Head of the Furniture Department, points out: “Terry was one of the major figures of the 20th century interior design. Complete ensembles such as this one are very rare on the market.” He adds “The apartment of the Ambassador and Mrs. Raymond Guest, untouched since it was put together, holds an incontestable importance in Emilio Terry’s work, and will no doubt attract interest from connoisseurs around the world.”
Soon after moving to Paris in the early 1960’s, Caroline Guest, born Princess Caroline Murat, turned to the expertise of the bold and talented designer Emilio Terry to make her apartment into a stylish home. The Cuban designer, born in 1890, acquired a firm reputation by launching what he called the “Louis XVII Style”, a distinctive mix between imagination and audacity. He reinvented furniture, carpets and ornaments inspired by the neo-classical style, while also drawing plans for houses or gardens constructions, and redecorating town hotels and castles. It is this very same flair that Terry imprinted on the decoration of the Guest’s apartment, transforming a traditional and formal space into a surprising and dynamic backdrop, which retained balance and harmony. The reference book Nouvelles réussites de la decoration française, 1960-1966 mentions the apartment: “In each room, unity of architecture, doors, colors is attained; the brightness of the palette and the precision of the form work hand in hand in harmony for the eyes’ pleasure. Classicism, though, is every time renewed with a bold invention: in the grand living room, welcoming despite its icy colors, with intimate corners offered by alcoves arranged all around, the stunning carpet, blue and white with a geometrical outline, proves it to be no less than the work of a great designer.”
Terry’s monumental 375 sq. ft. blue and white carpet comprises black, white and lavender triangles, which follow a dynamic rhythm, radiating out from the centre (estimate: €20.000-30.000). He also created an outstanding fireplace for the dining room, out of grey marble and Wedgwood-like biscuit. It is expected to fetch between €8.000 and €12.000.
The Ambassador was a fine amateur horse racer and a professional polo player and the collection reflects this passion, with a selection of sporting art which mostly depicts racing horses. The highlight is a canvas by John Frederick Herring Senior (1795-1865) depicting the Bloomsbury, winner of the Derby (estimate: €10.000-15.000) and Appaloosa Horse and Spaniel, executed by Thomas Weaver (1774-1843) in 1807 (estimate: €6.000-8.000).
