GENEVA.- Hôtel des Ventes, Geneva has the privilege of auctioning the furniture and fittings of Hauteville Manor on 11 and 12 September 2015.

This majestic dwelling has belonged to the Grand d’Hauteville family of Barons since its construction in 18th century and hides an immense quantity of extraordinary and unimaginable treasure: furniture, paintings, works of art, textiles and period costumes, jewellery, silver, rare antiquarian books etc… All these objects have been accumulated over the centuries by the owners of the Manor tracing back over 250 years. These unseen pieces, passed down from generation to generation, tell by their importance the family’s history and highlight parts of Swiss, European and American history. They will be unveiled to the public for the first time and sold at auction by Geneva’s Hôtel des Ventes on location at the Manor itself.

The doors to Hauteville Manor – considered amongst the most beautiful houses in Switzerland - will be open for the very first time at the public viewing and exhibition which takes place on 4, 5 and 6 September. For the first time and likely the last, collectors are invited to discover the interior of this magnificent 18th century abode in St-Légier, above Vevey in Switzerland as well as the terraces and gardens covering almost 30 hectares that overlook Lake Geneva.

The auction will consist of objects that come exclusively from Hauteville Manor totalling almost 1500 lots with an overall value of one million Swiss francs. Almost all the lots will be sold without a reserve price (meaning there no minimum sale price) rendering them accessible to all.

“We are honoured to open the doors of Hauteville Manor to the public and organise this historical sale” declares Bernard Piguet. “It is actually very rare these days to find such a house still containing all that surrounded the lives of its owners since its construction over 250 years ago”.

Following the sale of Gingins Hall in 2013, Geneva’s Hôtel des Ventes has decided once again to organise the exhibition and auction within the Manor itself, reaffirming its capability in organising prestigious Country House sales. “After the success of 2013, it seems essential that visitors should discover the hidden treasures of Hauteville and that they are auctioned in their original setting” comments Bernard Piguet.

Hauteville Manor – property of the descendants of Pierre-Philippe Cannac and Daniel Grand d’Hauteville since the end of the 18th century:

Located right next to Lavaux, a UNESCO world heritage site, Hauteville Manor is counted uncontestably among Switzerland’s most beautiful houses.

In 1760, Baron Pierre-Philippe Cannac, a banker in Lyon, acquired the Hauteville seigneury and embarks upon the construction of a neoclassical style building following the fashion of this period.

In 1794, the barony of St-Légier and La Chiésaz and the seigneury of Hauteville were inherited by the granddaughter of Pierre-Philippe Cannac, Victoire Cannac of St-Légier. Four years previous, she had married Daniel Grand de la Chaise (1761-1818), descendant of Jean-François Grand (1689-1774) named Judge in Lausanne in 1758. From his father’s side, Baron Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand (1726-1794), co-founder of the Caisse d'Escompte in Paris which became Banque de France, Daniel Grand was amongst the largest financers in Europe: banker to the French Court in Amsterdam, treasurer to the Swedish Court. Following his marriage, he joined his family name to that of the seigneury of Hauteville, therefore becoming the first person to bear the name Grand d’Hauteville. With this young couple frequently organising balls, dinners and theatrical entertainment, Hauteville Manor lived through a new era of splendour, receiving many important guests.

The rich patrimony of the Cannac and Grand d’Hauteville families was preciously conserved and passed down through 11 generations. Now for the first time it will be unveiled to the public and sold this September at auction.

However, to ensure the historical longevity of this important dynasty for future generations, the family has decided to keep certain items relevant to its heritage. The family will also be donating the family portraits to the Swiss National Museum. The Toy Museum at Tour-de-Peilz has received the toys and the tens of thousands of archival documents dating back to 14th century have been given to the Canton of Vaud. Despite this, some 50 family portraits will still be on view in their original historical setting during the three day exhibition this September.

One of the most beautiful houses in Switzerland opens its doors to the public for the first time
For the first and last time since its construction in 1760, Hauteville Manor along with its original furniture and fittings, will be open to the public during a three day exhibition preceding the sale: 4, 5, 6 September 2015.

Visitors will have access to the majority of the Manor’s 30 rooms over 2000m2 and discover every side to the owners lives by walking through the reception rooms, dressing rooms, the studies, bedrooms and the extensive library, not forgetting the cellars and hiding places…

Many will be bewildered by the exceptional Italian style baroque fresco paintings by the Petrini brothers of Lugano that adorn the 7 metre high walls of the great hall. The visit could then continue outside along the French style terraces overlooking the lake and surrounded by the magnificent grounds covering almost 30 hectares. From there, the first Swiss lightening conductors can be spotted on the roof of the Manor which were installed by family friend Benjamin Franklin ….

The exhibition organised at Hauteville Manor by Geneva’s Hotel des Ventes will provide the public with an opportunity to step into the shoes of the chatelaines from the 18th century to the present day and will allow collectors to inspect objects and works of art that they will be able to purchase just days later.

A collection involved in the Manor’s history and the Grand d’Hauteville family
More than just a collection, all the objects presented have figured in the lives of this influential and affluent family. As well as the furniture one would expect to find in a house of this period, medals, monarchical souvenirs for services rendered, antiquities from journeys abroad, personal military effects from the American Civil war (1861-1865) from a heroic branch of the family and all sorts of collectables were discovered in the wardrobes and loft…

The Grand d’Hauteville collection is profoundly linked to the history of the domain of this family of chatelaines, farmers, politicians, financers and soldiers. Over 500 pieces of silver are evidence of the luxurious parties thrown at Hauteville alongside the porcelain and crystal wares by Meissen, Sèvres, Nyon and Baccarat. A series of prints and drawings of the Manor and the region during the 18th and 19th centuries show the area and shores of Lake Geneva over the years …

The extensive library housing over 3000 works with Cannac and Grand d'Hauteville bookplates include books from the 17th to 19th centuries on voyages and explorations of the period. There are also some rare works from the 18th and 19th centuries that assisted the initial Manor owners in managing the land and creating economical self-sufficiency in agriculture, botany, beekeeping, silkworm farming and vine growing…

Certain paintings and items of furniture stand out in particular such as a family portrait of Pierre-Philippe Cannac by Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-1789) (20,000-30,000 Swiss francs), a Chinese lacquer chest of drawers (30,000-50,000) and a set of 4 Louis XVI period gilt bronze wall lights (15,000-20,000 Swiss francs) which come from the personal home of Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand in Paris.

As with all aristocratic families, the Grand d’Hauteville family conserved antique jewellery.

Two delicate 19th century sets of jewellery in their original cases originally belonged to Aimée Grand d’Hauteville (1791-1855), Daniel’s daughter. One consists of a necklace, two bracelets, a pair of drop earrings and a hair combe made of gold set with natural pearls and 33 peridots (12,000-18,000 Swiss francs). For collectors of precious stones, the sale includes a three carat diamond with cut in a way that was typical of the 18th and 19th centuries (12,000-18,000 Swiss francs) and an Art Deco ring set with an untreated Colombian emerald. The jewellery section offers around 80 lots, including numerous armorial and historical pieces like the ornamental hair jewellery - guardians of the memory of loved ones - mentioned by Aimée Grand d’Hauteville in her will.

A significant collection in Swiss and European history
The Grand d’Hauteville family kept close relations with the key influential figures in Europe. Daniel received the prestigious title of Knight of the Order of Vasa (medal estimated at 1,000-1,500 Swiss francs) and a reliquary given by Pope Pius VII containing a fragment of the Holy Cross (estimated at 400-600 Swiss francs).

Many members of the family embarked upon the Grand Tour, a term used for the journey made across Europe by aristocracy. A large quantity of souvenirs from these journeys have survived, such as a rare Urbino majolica charger dated 1544 (estimated at 8,000-12,000 Swiss francs), a portrait miniature of Louis XVIII set in a tortoiseshell box (estimated at 1,000-1,500 Swiss francs), without forgetting the shards of gilt mosaics from the Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice and fragments of the frescos from Herculaneum and Pompeii (estimated at 500-800 Swiss francs)!

A chapter of the September sale catalogue is dedicated to antique textiles and period costume. The meticulous inventory performed by Hôtel des Ventes uncovered an important collection of 18th century ‘habits à la française’ and a series of waistcoats that illustrates the evolution of this essential item of clothing from the Louis XV period to the French Restoration. The auction house specialists also discovered an important collection of period shoes, coats and numerous 19th century dresses. With the constant evolution in fashion, certain outfits were reused as costumes for the theatrical performances organised at the Manor.

The Grand d’Hauteville Amercian Heros
Certain members of the American branch of the Grand d’Hauteville family featured significantly in two major events in the history of the Unted States of America: the Anglo-American War of 1812 and the American Civil War (1861-1865).

The unexpected discovery of a medal belonging to General Macomb, ancestor of the Grand d’Hauteville and hero at the Battle of Plattsburgh (state of New York), plunges us into the very foundation of the United States.

The War of 1812 saw the United States battle against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, its colonies and allies from June 1812 until February 1815. The victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh on 11 September 1814 marks a turning point in the independence of the country and set the United States on course to what it is today. It should be pointed out that General Alexander Macomb achieved this victory with only 1500 American soldiers against 10,000 of the British Allied forces thanks to his remarkable military strategies.

Before being promoted to Commanding General (head of the United States army), Congress awarded him a unique gold medal in recognition of his achievements weighing 248g (estimated at 20,000-30,000 Swiss francs). Gold medals from Congress were extremely rare distinctions and awarded only for acts of national importance. This historical rare award will be sold at auction for the first time on 12 September 2015 (just about 201 days after the supposed day of victory) aong with other American militaria and memorabilia.

Historical Flags of the Civil War:
Captain Frédéric Sears I Grand d’Hauteville (1838-1918) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The entire uniform of Captain Grand d'Hauteville (5,000-8,000 Swiss francs) was discovered at the bottom of a wardrobe in the Manor’s extensive loft, carefully wrapped and labelled using American newspapers dated 1945… Nothing had been touched for almost 70 years!

The bicorn hat box (1,000-1,500 Swiss francs) also hid two small silk Union flags, both carrying 13 stars (800-1,200 Swiss francs). Frédéric Sears I Grand d’Hauteville also brought something back from the spoils of war: a very large and rare Confederation Flag from 1861 (20,000-30,000 Swiss francs).

An extremely rare album created and annotated by Frédéric Sears I Grand d’Hauteville in 1862 contains 158 original photographs of key figures in the American Civil (4,000-6,000 Swiss francs): President Abraham Lincoln, General Ulysses Grant, the secessionist President Davis Jefferson, General Robert Lee, etc…

Also featuring in the Americana section are documents and diplomas regarding the Grand d’Hauteville family signed by hand by 6 American Presidents from George Washington to Franklin Roosevelt.

All these elements have been brought together to enthral the public and create an historic and memorable sale.