CHRISTIE’S EXCEPTIONAL SALE &
THE COLLECTOR : LE GOÛT FRANCAIS ACHIEVED A COMBINED TOTAL OF €4,789,878
Lot 1005 – André-Charles Boulle
Cabinet sur piètement d’époque Louis XIV
Estimate : €500,000-1,000,000
Sold : €716,000
Exceptional sale
24 November 2020
TOTAL: €2,842,250
The Exceptional sale was held in Paris “under an auctioneer in the box format” with a video link with the auction room in London. It realised a total of €2,842,250 and was led by an outstanding Louis XIV period Aux Saisons cabinet executed by André-Charles Boulle. Coming from the prestigious Sadruddin Aga Khan collection, it was acquired for €716,000. Additional top lots of the sale included a sumptuous baroque gilt-oak table console which doubled its presale estimate and was sold €190,000. Estimated at €200,000-300,000, Hubert Robert’s work of exceptional proportions, Caprice architectural avec un escalier en pierre monumental animé de personnages achieved €325,000. We can also mention a refined extensive early 19th century Paris porcelain part service which was sold €106,250 after a long bidding battle between telephones from all over the world, against a presale estimate of €15,000-20,000. Another bidding battle was witnessed for a delicate French silver, enamelled and niello sweet cup executed by Boucheron (circa 1881) sold for €147,500, estimated €40,000-60,000.
Earlier today, The Collector: Le Goût français auction which totaled €1,947,625, attracted bidders from 21 countries. The sale presented iconic pieces and realised strong results such as for an exquisite pair of Louis XV style Chinese biscuit parrots acquired for €47,500 against a presale estimate of €10,000-20,000 ; also a refined Regence pedestal (circa 1730) which sold €68,750 doubling its presale estimate.
Simon de Monicaut, Director Decorative Arts: Beyond the strong results achieved today, these sales celebrate the French arts and savoir-faire as seen through this exceptional cabinet by André-Charles Boulle sold for €716,000. Despite the lockdown, these results show that collectors are still eager to acquire beautiful works of art from prestigious collections. All these works had been mise en scène at Christie’s Paris in order to present our sales through immersive great videos available on the Christie’s website. It was also a great honour for Christie’s to work with Louis Cane who brought a renewed vision to our Classic week Sales.
