February 20, Versailles informed us have received an extraordinary gift: a Japanese lacquer commode performed by Gaudreaus for the bedroom of Louis XV in the Chateau de Choisy.

Let’s focus on this piece, the donation and the intricacies of this donation.

 

The commode

 

Curved in black and gold Japanese, with red floral motifs and European lacquer or vernis Martin (see our previous article), opening in front by two large drawers without apparent traverses and two side cabinets. It rests on cabriole legs and wears a red marble top.

It has outstanding ormolu rocaille bronzes decorated with palms, reeds, shells, concretions and windings.

 

Our furniture was delivered in 1744 by the marchand mercier Thomas-Joachim Hébert for the bedroom of King Louis XV at the Chateau de Choisy and was executed by the cabinetmaker Antoine Robert Gaudreaus. The chamber of Louis XV at Versailles was also furnished with a commode by Gaudreaus, delivered in 1739, inlaid kingwood and whose bronzes are signed Caffieri.

 

Lacquers from Japan were at the time, a very rare and particularly expensive product. To perform this commode, the garde meuble royal provides Hébert a lacquer screen, bought by Louis XIV, he cut up and of which he made thin the lacquer panels so they can be plated on the frame of the commode. This step is particularly difficult because the lacquer is very fragile.

 

 

The donation

 

The commode remains at the Chateau de Choisy until it was unfurnished then passes into the rooms of Madame Elisabeth and Queen Marie-Antoinette at Chateau de Saint-Cloud finally sold during the revolutionary sales.

 

It reappears in Egypt in the early twentieth century and passes in Italy by an American collector before being acquired in auctions in Italy in 1987 by Edmond J. Safra.

 

It is the widow of the latter, which through its philanthropic foundation has donated it at Versailles. This donation is not the first of the Edmond J Safra foundation; it has previously given to the Louvre two terrines and stands in silver executed by the goldsmith Balzac from the famous Penthièvre Orleans service as well as watercolors and manuscripts.

 

 

The story behind

 

This donation was not made without problems. Announced in 2009-2010, the services of Italian cultural goods refused to grant permission to leave their territory to the commode they saw as a national treasure when it has not in any meaning for Italy own heritage . It was not executed by neither an Italian artist, nor an Italian residence and arrived in the peninsula late, around 1960. It took the intervention of many curators and diplomacy to our piece of furniture can join the French public collections after more than three years of negotiations.

 

 

Let us hope that the quality of this commode gives new impetus for the restoration of certain rooms of Versailles and it will generate more donations from major collectors.

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Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is probably the most famous French sculptors of the second half of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. His eponymous museum deals with the highlighting and protection of his work.

 

If the sculptures in marble or plaster at auction are extremely rare, it is still possible to acquire a bronze edition of one of his sculptures.

 

 

Auguste Rodin worked in his early years with the greatest sculptors of his time as Carrier-Belleuse or Joseph Van Rasbourg.

 

 

 

© SVV Aguttes

 

 

The Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900 marked the zenith of its glory. Rodin is allowed to have a private house in which he sets 170 sculptures, drawings and watercolours.

 

He formed in his workshop some of the great sculptors of the twentieth century among which may be mentioned Brancusi, François Pompon, Antoine Bourdelle or Camille Claudel.

 

© SVV Artcurial

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In November 2012, the magazine Art Absolument dedicated Sera as one of the 101 best contemporary artists in France over the last ten years.

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Sunday, February 9 SVV Guillaume Le Floc'h, assisted by our Cabinet of expertise for furniture and works of art, will auction old masters, modern and contemporary paintings, furniture and works of art from the XVII, XVIII and nineteenth centuries as well as ceramics.

 

Lot 44 is an oil on canvas entitled "Electra" executed by Georges Mathieu (1921-2012). This painting is signed and dated 70 on the lower right and titled on the back of the canvas. With two small recesses and rubbings, this canvas is expected between 25 and 35,000 Euro.

 

 

Lot 79 is a prototype iron sculpture titled "Design of Intention" executed by the famous Chilean artist Roberto Matta (1911-2002). Painter, sculptor, Matta was a member of the surrealist movement. Donated by the artist to the stepfather of the seller, our sculpture is expected between 6,000 and 8,000 Euro.

 

 

After contemporary art, we turn to China, with lot 112. It is a rare vase baluster in white nephrite stained rust carved in low relief of flowers and pines. The neck is decorated with two handles in the form of chimera with rings. This vase dating from the eighteenth century is estimated at between 20 and 30,000 Euro despite the lack of its cover.

 

 

Finish our selection with two French works of art from the late nineteenth century.

 

Lot 216 is an exceptional clock in ormolu and marble. The black and white circular enamel dial with roman and Arabs numbers is signed "A. Beurdeley / Paris". The movement is signed "S. Marti et Cie ". Made in Paris, c.1889 by Alfred-Louis-Emmanuel (Alfred II) Beurdeley (1847-1919), our clock is expected between 4 and 6,000 Euro. Note that a similar clock is kept in the Study of the Emperor Napoleon III the Château de Fontainebleau. Main image.

 

Lot 220 is a rare pair of bronze candlesticks with brown patina and leaves decoration. Our pair of lamps is signed by Barye. The latter is especially known for its animal bronzes but also executed a few items of furniture such as candlesticks. The pair is estimated between 2 and 3,000 Euro.

 

 

Do not worry, the sale also includes a large number of lots, estimated between 100 and 1,500 Euro. Do not hesitate to consult the online catalogue.

 

Informations:

Where: hôtel des Ventes de Saint-Cloud - 1ter boulevard de la République – 92210 Saint-Cloud.

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An author who determines his life Karen Blixen 

 

It is the reading of Out ​​of Africa at 17 that comes radically overturn the lives of Peter Beard. He falls deeply love with Africa.

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The blacksmith turned designer ...

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