An urge to sun? We invite you to (re) discover this week the life and work of Jacques Majorelle, one of the great Orientalist painters of the twentieth century.

 

The traveler

 

Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962), was a French painter, son of the famous founder of the school of Nancy Louis Majorelle. First formed in the interior architecture at the Beaux-Arts of Nancy he studied at the Académie Julian in Paris to realize his dream of becoming a painter.

 

He completed his training with a series of trips to Spain, Italy and Egypt. Majorelle discovers the Islamic world and its customs and new landscapes bathed in light from which is born his passion for Africa.

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For about ten years, the decorative arts from the late nineteenth century exit the oblivion. The names of the leading manufacturers of furniture and works of art were rediscovered and their exceptional creations characterized by the influence of the Universal Exhibitions and development industry applied to art.

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The team of experts of Authenticite wishes you a very happy new year 2013 and very beautiful discoveries. Well to beguin, we offer you to rediscover a selection of works of art sold through us in 2012.

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Our last auction of the year 2012, organized by the SVV Art Valorem near Drouot, was a huge success.

Back on some lots sold.

 

Among the old masters and modern paintings, have a look at lot 11, a pair of oils on canvas, oval by a follower of Christophe Huet and dating from the late nineteenth century, was sold for 1,150 Euros just below the lower estimate . Note that our pair of paintings was sold without frame.

 

 

“Devant l’auberge”, an oil on canvas signed Leon Legat (lot 22) sold for 2,350 Euros, a reasonable price considering its conservation status; the auction catalogue mentions staples, restorations and accidents.

 

 

In the drawings section, the unseated jockey, a work by Charles-Ferdinand Condamy, in pencil and watercolor fetched high estimate to 400 Euros, the top estimate.

 

 

Among the medieval works of art, note the 120,000 Euros paid for lot 186, an outstanding plaque with polychrome enamels from Limoges dated circa 1500 and attributed to pseudo-Master Monvaerni. The Nativity doubled its low estimate and obtained the top price of the sale. (Main illustration)

 

For the furniture finally retain the lot 238, a commode scriban with oriental and European lacquer executed partly in China and partly in Europe for the Compagnie des Indes from the late seventeenth century sold for 6,500 Euros in the estimated range.

 

 

Again, furniture and art objects marked their comeback confirming the trend reported after our auction in Orleans in November. For the furniture, 79% of the lots were sold and 95% in value.

 

Those lots were sold in partnership with us.

 

The team of specialist wishes you a festive holiday season.

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In this time of Advent where each family expects Christmas, preparations and traditions are honoured. We decorate the tree by placing the crib below, but where does it come?

The crib depicts the biblical story of the Nativity, in other words the child Jesus with his parents in the barn.

 

In the seventeenth century, the crib grows throughout Europe. It consists of figurines, terracotta characters meaning "little saint" in Provencal. The most beautiful are made ​​to "Baroque Naples" and follow the development of the art of the Counter-Reformation.

 

 

The crib is then reserved for the noble and the bourgeoisie. The installation can take several days and occupy an entire room of the house. These rich and dramatic compositions depict everyday life of Neapolitans different businesses, taverns, beggars, shepherds and even the royal guard. The most beautiful figurines are made in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and demonstrate a rare workmanship. In fact, they are the result of the activity of several artists such as architects, sculptors, painters and tailors.

 

Traditionally, the head is made of clay and members of carved wood . Then everything is painted and maintained through a metal frame to animate the character. The Neapolitan crib characters costume are of rich fabrics such as silk and velvet embroidered with gold. Some are much simpler, made ​​entirely in painted clay.

 

Their execution can reflect the delicacy of the faces and expressions. Glass eyes provide some liveliness to the character. Most of the figurines are between 20 and 50 centimetres.

 

 

Despite their rarity, it is still possible to find some Neapolitan figurines in auctions. According to the delicacy of execution of the face, the quality of the fabrics and the overall condition and size, a figurine of the eighteenth century can be worth between 500 and 3000 €. The most sought after figurines remain the stable and those of the tavern. Keep looking further to continue the tradition of the "little saint" Neapolitan!

 

Bérénice Cugnière

 

Illustrations :

Illustration principale : courtesy of Artcurial.

1- Courtesy of Aguttes, vente du 20 novembre 2012.

Santon de crèche, bois finement sculpté laqué au naturel.

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Thursday, December 13, Drouot area, SVV Art Valorem in collaboration with our cabinet d'expertise will auction drawings, old masters and modern paintings, furniture and antiques in particular an exceptional Limoges enamel Nativity, silverware and jewelry.

Let us look at our favorite.

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Vallauris "Land of Fire" was originally a flatware factory  before becoming a art factory . It knows a real expansion in the 50s with the opening of the workshop Madura which attracts many artists such as Robert Picault, Juliette Mazaudois or even Pablo Picasso, marking the revival of local ceramics.

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