PARIS.- Christie’s announces the sale of an exceptional collection on 15 September. Offered during the famous Biennale des Antiquaires, connoisseurs who will attend the fair will also have the opportunity to enjoy the viewing of this exquisite collection at Christie’s. The interior décor of this beautiful hôtel particulier was created by Emilio Terry, one of the most refined decorators of his time. The collection includes several masterpieces for which pendants or comparables are kept in some of the greatest museums. Indeed, the sculpture Le Génie de la Danse was executed by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux to highlight the Opéra Garnier’s façade. Assembled across three generations, masterpieces and coups de cœur harmoniously cohabit in this interior, as illustrated by the grace of Carpeaux’s sculpture, the rigorous lines of Terry’s décor, the modernity of Montigny’s 18th century’s desk and the softness of Louise Elisabeth Vigée Lebrun’s portait. The sale comprises around 200 lots, estimated at approximately 4 million euros.
In the hotel paticulier’s hall, Le Génie de la Danse is beautifully set in a décor specially created by Emilio Terry (1890-1969) to enhance the sculpture’s power. Terry was a renowned decorator who created furniture, carpets and objects in a neoclassical style. He also designed houses, gardens, and was responsible for the interior decoration of several hotels particuliers and palaces. He created his own style which he named « Louis XVII », producing pieces of furniture and décors of imaginary and audacious inspiration. Once again in this residence, he acts boldly, transforming classical and formal volumes in a harmonious and surprising setting.
Simon de Monicault, Head of the Furniture and Works of Art department, Christie’s France, adds: “Collections that were laid out by Emilio Terry, major decorator of the 20th century, rarely come to the market. This beautiful hotel particulier has remained intact since Terry’s work in the 1960’s, and grandly brings together 17th and 18th century masterpieces and the neoclassic décor, so characteristic of his work. Pieces have continually been selected by the collectors to fit Terry’s setting, as shown by the works of Christian Bérard and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, acquired directly from the artists”.
Leading the sale is the Génie de la Danse, executed circa 1865-75 by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875) (estimate: €600,000-1,000,000). The sculpture was acquired by the collectors directly from Carpeaux’s daughter in 1927. Only one other study, also in plaster and of similar size (2,20 meters / 861/2 inches high) is known, acquired by Robert de Rothschild during the sale of the sculptor’s studio on 30 May 1913.
The new Opera of Paris was one of the largest construction of the Second Empire, epitomizing the Napoleon III style. To adorn its façade, architecht Charles Garnier called on four contemporary sculptors to realise four groups depicting Harmony, Instrumental music, Lyrical Drama and Danse. The execution of Danse is put in Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux’s hands in 1865.
It takes Carpeaux three years to come up with the sculpture, producing numerous studies. However, all were rejected by Garnier. At last, in January 1868, the original terracotta is cast, and a half-size plaster is delivered to the architect.
The group that Carpeaux chooses to create represents joy and the irrepressible movement of a danse, expressed by a nude male genie, surrounded by floating draperies and slender bacchantes. The sculpture is unveiled on the Opera’s façade on 27 July 1869, and instantly triggers violent reactions from the Parisian public, shocked by the indecency of the figures. The group is vandalized a month later, splashed by a bottle of black ink. Only years later, the sculpture is acknowledged as one of the most important works of its time.
In the dining room, facing an imposing Louis XIV armoire (estimate: €30,000-50,000), is a pair of large Chinese jars and covers from the Qing dynasty, dated circa 1740-50. Both jars are 135 centimeters high (53 inches) and bear the coat of arms of Francisco Jose de Ovando y Solis (1693-1755), 1st Marquis of Brindisi. This Spanish soldier was born in Caceres (Spain) and had several roles in his career, including Governor of Chili and the Philippines (estimate: €100,000-200,000).
In the living room, decorated in light grey panelling conceived by Emilio Terry, is an important Louis XVI bureau plat stamped by Philippe-Claude Montigny. Estimated between €400,000 and €600,000 and featuring modern lines, this desk illustrates the return to the classical taste of the 1750’s, in reaction of the excessive Rococo style. Philippe-Claude Montigny (1734-1800) is a major Parisian cabinetmaker under the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI and is one of the principal founders of the early Louis XVI Style. As shown through this desk, Montigny particularly enjoys the contrast between ebony and ormolu mounts.
Some beautiful drawings by Christian Bérard (1909-1942) echoe how close this family of collectors was to the artists, generation after generation. Some sketches for dresses or party décors will be offered, and a fantastic Toréador (illustrated left) is estimated between 1.000 and 1.500 euros.
A suite of eight cabriolet armchairs by Georges Jacob will be offered at 200,000-300,000 euros. This Louis XVI suite is from the same ensemble of pieces of furniture exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It had been offered to the museum in 1941 by collector Georges Blumenthal (1858-1941) and then by his widow, Mary Ann Payne Blumenthal (1889-1973).
On the Louis XV black and gilt Chinese lacquer commode stamped by JeanBaptiste Fromageau (estimate: €100,000-200,000), is an extremely rare pair of 18th century porcelain and ormolu-mounted vases-cloches (estimate: €300,000-500,000). These bleu lapis Sèvres porcelain vases, named “Vases Dulac” have been executed by Jean Dulac (1704-1786) circa 1770-74. The lids of these vases have a pine-cone finial and can be turned over, forming a three-branch candelabra. Dulac was appointed marchand privilégié du Roi on 16 May 1753 and, following that, marchand-bijoutier. He appears in the sales register at the Sèvres manufacture from 1758-1776, where he acquired the majority of the production of this model known as vases-cloches, purchasing a total of twenty between 1772 and 1779, at prices varying from 60 to 84 livres, dependent on the ground colour – the lapis ground being far more expensive than the green.
A monumental Qianlong (1736-1795) powder-blue porcelain vase, mounted with ormolu in the 19th century by Escalier de Cristal, is estimated at €50,000-80,000. This vase illustrates the 18th century trend initiated by the marchands-merciers who specialised in mounted objects, a trend that inspired Escalier de Cristal in the 19th century, while adding touches of the demanded taste for the Far-East. Escalier de Cristal quickly became a new icon for Parisian elegance, acclaimed both in France and abroad. Its clientele mainly comprises European families but also Russian, including Emperor Alexender III. Also by Escalier de Cristal, the sale will offer a delicate pair of porcelain ormolu-mounted candelabras (estimate: €3.000-5.000) and a pair of cachepots (estimate: €7,000-10,000).
A pastel by Marie Louise Elisabeth Vigée Lebrun (1755-1842) is another highlight of the collection. This charming Head of young girl; possibly a portrait of Caroline Rivière, niece of the artist, is estimated at €120,000-180,000. Extremely fresh, with shimmering colours and the spontaneity of a quick sketch – unlike the numerous formal portraits the painter had executed –, this pastel embodies all the qualities of a work by Vigée Lebrun. The artist has recently been promoted through two major exhibitions, at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (February-May 2015) and at the Grand Palais in Paris (September 2015-January 2016).
Amongst old master and 19th century paintings, an important work by Jean-Louis Demarne (1744-1829) will be offered at €70,000-100,000. It depicts An assembly of elegant people going to a fair and is in a good condition of conservation. The painting was once in the collection of Count of Nape, one of the first connoisseurs and patrons of Jean-Louis Demarne.
Elsewhere in the sale are two delicate landscapes by Stanislas Lépine (1835-1892). One depicts The Seine bank between Bercy and Ivry (estimate: €40,00060,000) and the other features A pathway in Montmartre (estimate: €20,000-30,000). Finally a fine selection of British paintings will be featured, including a Portrait of a Lady by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) estimated at €40,000-60,000.
