A Mansion – Overlooking A Royal Park, Sotheby’s, 34-35 New Bond Street, London W1, 28th April 2015
This very special sale sees the dispersal of a fine collection of decorative and fine art built up over the last forty years with many of the lots having distinguished provenances from collections, including Alfred de Rothschild, Stowe and Houghton Hall.
The French Louis XV and XVI furniture is complimented with pieces of English furniture, porcelains from Meissen and Sevres as well as English and Irish silver. On the walls are French, British and Dutch and Flemish paintings by artists such as Romney, Reynolds, Pater, Lancret, Casteels and Hondecoeter. All has been harmoniously brought together with a discerning eye to create elegant, timeless interiors.
One important lot is the Duc D’Aumont and Louis XVI’s brûle parfums (lot 112). They consist of 18th century Japanese kakiemon bowls and covers, which the Duc d’Aumont had mounted in gilt bronze by Pierre Gouthière, one of the best known ciseleur-doreurs of the Louis XVI period. They were acquired by the king at the Duc d’Aumont sale in 1782 and were intended for the Louvre. (Estimate: 150,000-250,000 GBP; 204,975 – 341,626 EUR).
In 1870 Baron Ch. Davillier said “These two cassolettes, of perfect quality, are precious jewels of curiosity, with their style of design, the discerning taste and quality of their embellishments”. A statement that rings true to this day.
Tim Forrest's E & A 