GENEVA.- This year Piguet Auction House will hold its Christmas sale from 12 to 15 December, offering a selection of 3100 lots with a global estimate of CHF 3.5-4.5 million. This winter, the focus is on Chinese art with an exceptionally rare collection of Ming/Qing (17th century) dynasty huanghuali wood furniture from a private Swiss collection, an unseen painting from the internationally renowned Chu The-Chun (1920-2014) and original bound lithographs signed Zao Wou-ki (1921-2013).

The Fine Jewellery and Watches sales echo the quality of the recent auctions held in Geneva this November. Piguet Auction House will present important sets of jewellery, collector’s watches from the big names including a collection of over twenty vintage Rolex watches. The modern and antiquarian Books sale will also take place this December, alongside Russian art, luxury handbags, art glass and Old Masters.

An important ensemble dedicated to the masters of Chinese works of art
Ø The Carpenter collection: a collection from a family of diplomates
Piguet Auction House will present an exceptional and extremely rare ensemble of 17th century huanghuali furniture from a private Swiss collection. These pieces of furniture were acquired directly in China by Gardner Clarence Carpenter (1913-1952) during his assignment in the country during the 1940s. Part of the collection was then inherited by his son, Christopher Jenns Carpenter (1940-2015), diplomate under the UNHCR at the time it was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1981 and for which he was commended. He kept the collection in Switzerland and continued to enrich it until this day (over 100 lots come from this family’s collection, of which 6 are huanghuali furniture). The pure and simplistic lines of the designs make this 300 year old furniture seem timeless. These well preserved pieces in this rare and precious wood will appear on the market for this first time and will be sold by Bernard Piguet on Wednesday 14 December. Two examples of these lots are the hua’an painting table and 2 yuanjiaogui cabinets - lots 573 and 574 each estimated at CHF 100,000-150,000).

Ø Chinese Contemporary art
After the success of the June sale when a signed work by Chu Teh-Chun (1920-2014) changed hands for a mere CHF 790,000, the artist is back again at Piguet Auction House. An unseen and untitled oil painting known as « Composition, hiver » will be exhibited for the first time at the sale preview on 9, 10 and 11 December and will be auctioned with an estimate of CHF 200,000-300,000 (lot 1025 page 1).

Another great Chinese contemporary artist features in the Books sale on Tuesday 13 December. Original coloured lithographs by Zao Wou-ki (1921-2013) illustrate André Malraux’s work La tentation de l’Occident (lot 91 estimated at CHF 6,000-9,000). The artist was recently honoured with an exhibition at the Gianadda foundation of Martigny.

The high quality of the Chinese works of art presented at this December’s Asian Art sale should reinforce Geneva’s place on the international art market.

The History of Imperial Russian returns once again to Geneva
As is tradition in December, Piguet Auction House will hold a Russian sale. This year’s sale takes us back to time of Imperial Russia with letters from Grand Duchesses Olga and Xenia Alexandrovna Romanov, sisters of Tsar Nicholas II, addressed to their Genevan tutor, Ferdinand Thormeyer.

Dated from 1887 to 1943, these letters tell the story of their lives at Imperial court and their struggles after the fall of the Empire. They allow us a very personal insight into family life around the last Tsar of Russia.

Some objects, such as the silver and enamel vodka cups (charka, lots 204-206) and the oil painting by Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna Romanov (lot 203 estimated at CHF 1,500-2,000) also come from the Thormeyer collection.

The Russian sale also includes an important oil painting by celebrated Russian artist Aristarkh Vasilievic Lentulov (1882-1843) estimated at CHF 100,000-150,000 (lot 150), a wide varity of icons, silver and works of art.

The Christmas sale sparkles with fine jewellery and watches
A selection of high quality fine jewellery and watches will be presented at Piguet Auction House’s Christmas sale. The most prestigious and emblematic brands such as Cartier, Chopard, IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre will be on offer, with some more rare pieces that will certainly draw more special attention.

Ø Fine Watches Sale Highlights
In the watches sale, Rolex dominates the scene by the sheer number of collector’s timepieces that will be put up for auction. No less than thirty models will be presented, twenty of which are from a private Swiss collector. These range from vintage models such as a 1969 Cosmograph Daytona (lot 1607 estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000) to a 2007 Cosmograph Daytona (lot 1581 estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000), with others such as a 1980 Submariner (lot 1605 estimated at CHF 8,000-12,000) and a 1986 Oyster Perpetual Day-Date (lot 1591 estimated at CHF 5,000-7,000).

Two stand out models from Patek Philippe are the rare white gold Tachymetre Chronograph estimated at CHF 40,000-60,000 (lot 1611) and the Calatrava Perpetual Calendar estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000 (lot 1610).

Another brand and model of exceptional note is the Blancpain tourbillon watch in platinum (lot 1612 estimated at CHF 12,000-18,000).

Ø Fine Jewellery Sale Highlights
An opulent collection of Fine Jewellery by Adler will attract jewellery lovers with a matching set of clip earrings and necklace in white gold and diamonds with tear-drop emeralds (lot 1797 estimated at CHF 30,000-50,000) and a two-tone gold diamond and pear-cut emerald necklace with matching drop earrings (lots 1767 and 1768 estimated at CHF 30,000-40,000).

A variety of designer jewellery by the likes of Van Cleef and Arpels provides a wide choice for gifts this festive season. Other gift ideas for the more marked occasion would be this pair of clip earring by Boucheron Fine Jewellery (lot 1802 estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000) or a solitaire diamond ring by Harry Winston (lot 1765 estimated at CHF 30,000-50,000).

Over 160 lots of luxury handbags
A vast collection of over 160 branded luxury handbags will also be presented at the December auction. A few examples of what is on offer:

- A Togo Gold leather Birkin 35 handbag by Hermès Birkin 35 in near perfect condition (Lot 244 estimated at CHF 4,000-6,000).

- A monogram Graffiti Speedy 30 handbag by Marc Jacobs & Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuitton (lot 276 estimated at CHF 400-600).

- A gilt alligator style leather jewellery chest by Gautier, Geneva (lot 230 estimated at CHF 1,000-1,500).

Modern and Antiquarian books
The Book sale will launch the week long December auction, starting with the antiquarian book section. 18th and 19th century travel books will be followed by luxury editions of works with modern illustrations and bindings by renowned Parisian binders and finishing with some examples of erotic publications. The Book sale’s star lot is a work illustrated with original colour lithographs by Chinese artist Zao Wou-ki (1921-2013) (lot 91).

Old Masters Sale, the high point of the paintings and sculptures session
Many paintings in Wednesdays evening’s Old Masters sale deserve a special mention:

- A red and black chalk portrait by renowned portrait artist Jean Etienne Liotard (1702-1789) estimated at CHF 70,000-90,000 (lot 1245).

- A Hunting scene by wildlife painter Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755) (lot 1246 estimated at CHF 30,000-50,000).

- Two still life paintings from the 17th century, one signed Cornelis Kruys (1619-1654), the other initialled JHV (act. between 1652-1663) estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000 and CHF 15,000-20,000 respectively (lots 1205 and 1206).

Great Christmas Gift Ideas
With the Christmas holidays approaching, Bernard Piguet and his team of specialists suggest a few gift ideas for presents at affordable prices to slip under the tree:

- A Speedy 30 handbag by Louis Vuitton (lot 275 estimated at CHF 300-500).

- A signed lithograph by Georges Braque (1882-1963) (lot 1133 estimated at CHF 600-800).

- A selection of art glass by Daum (lots 312 to 335).

- A white gold B Zero ring by Bulgari (lot 1515 estimated at CHF 200-300).

- 2 bracelets by Cartier which transform into a necklace (lot 1520 estimated at CHF 300-500).

- A pair of Royal Oak cufflinks by Audemars Piguet (lot 1547 estimated at CHF 400-600) or a pair of Hublot cufflinks (lot 4255 estimated at CHF 100-200).

- A Grace Kelly pen by Mont Blanc (lot 1641 estimé CHF 200-300).

- And over 350 lots of luxury handbags, accessories, jewellery and watches at attractive prices to be auctioned in the silent sale (auction via written bids only).