PARIS.- Tonight at
Sotheby’s Paris, bidders came out in droves to celebrate the discerning eye and refined taste of French Art Deco dealer and collector Félix Marcilhac. Following a nine-day exhibition visited by over 5,000 people, the first of two days of sales realised a combined total of €14,745,725 ($20,448,044), more than double today’s pre-sale high estimate (est. €5-6.5 million), with 97.3% of the lots sold.
Nearly 500 collectors registered their intention to bid on masterpieces of Decorative Art, most of which exceeded their high estimate. Among the great collectors taking part in this evening’s sale was Mr. Dimitri Mavrommatis who bought five lots, including works by Dunand & Lambert-Rucki, Coard, Dominique and a superb pair of upholstered, shagreen and oak armchairs by Frank.
11 auction records were established tonight, including the top lot - a unique patinated gypsum and bronze cabinet, circa 1935 by Jean-Michel Frank which soared above estimate and achieved €3,681,500 ($5,105,173) (est. €400,000-600,000/ $545,000-820,000).
Other strong prices achieved tonight included:
• Gustav Miklos, Tête, 1928. Unique patinated bronze sculpture. Est. €200,000-250,000 ($273,000-341,000). Sold for €811,500 ($1,125,315)
• Jean-Michel Frank, A pair of upholstered, shagreen and oak armchairs, circa 1928. Est. €250,000-300,000 ($341,000-409,000). Sold for €745,500 ($1,033,792)
• Jacques Majorelle, Les deux amies, 1941. Est. €250,000-300,000 ($341,000-409,000). Sold for €481,500 ($667,701)
Among the 11 auction records set tonight were:
• Paul Iribe, Fauteuil Nautile, 1913. A carved walnut upholstered armchair. Est. €150,000-200,000 ($205,000-273,000). Sold for €781,500 ($1,083,714)
• Pierre Legrain, Nickel plated brass and glass console table, circa 1924. Formerly in the Collection of the Vicomte and Vicomtesse de Noailles, Paris. Est. €100,000-120,000 ($137,000-164,000). Sold for €613,500 ($850,747)
• Marcel Coard, A unique rosewood, vellum and mother-of-pearl cubic armchair, circa 1920. Formerly in the Collection of Jacques Doucet. Est. €200,000-250,000 ($273,000-341,000). Sold for €445,500 ($617,779)
