Result
CLASSIC ARTS & FRENCH EMPIRE SALES
Success for the first session dedicated to the splendour of the French Empire and for the Classic Arts sales, which totalled more than 700,000 euros.



Aguttes last 2020 sales focused on two exceptional furniture and works of art auctions.  One dedicated to the Classic Arts and the other to the splendour of the French Empire, which brought in a total of 737,000 euros. An excellent result for the Furniture and Works of Art department and more particularly for the first dispersion of pieces from this period of French history initiated with Napoleon Bonaparte.  
 

CLASSIC ARTS


TOP 5 in sales


146 - MANUFACTURE WERNER & MIETH, BERLIN - Cristal drop chandelier, cut into daggers - 36,400
89 - ANDIRONS PAIR - In finely chiselled and gilded bronze - €33,800
87 - SIMON OEBEN (1722 - 1786) - Satin veneer writing table - €26,000
190 -  BEAUTIFUL FRENCH-MADE VIOLIN of Hippolyte Chrétien Silvestre Neveu  - €19,500
153 - CABINET - in satin marquetry inlaid with black Chinese lacquer panels - €16,900

Tax included
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The Classic Arts sale offered a beautiful combination of objects, sculptures and furniture retracing the plurality of artistic creations from antiquity to the 19th century. The 18th century pieces were the best sold lots, with a crystal chandelier with pendants, the star of the sale, selling for 36,400 euros, while a Louis XVI period writing table stamped Simon Oeben was sold for 26,000 euros. 
 
146 - MANUFACTURE WERNER & MIETH, BERLIN
Cristal drop chandelier, cut into daggers
RÉSULT: €36,400

 
87 - SIMON OEBEN (1722 - 1786)
Satin veneer writing table
RÉSULT: €26,000


The finely chiselled and gilded bronze creations, which are particularly well represented, have caught the eye of collectors. An exceptional pair of chenets consisting of two sea horses straddled by putti seduced a collector to the tune of 33,800 euros. A clock with the effigy of Louis XV, a true masterpiece, was sold for 15,916 euros. 
 

89 - REMARKABLE ANDIRONS PAIR
In finely Chiselled and gilded bronze
RÉSULT: €33,800

 
113 - ATTRIBUTED TO FRANÇOIS VION (BRONZE MAKER, MASTER IN 1764) JOSEPH BUZOT (WATCHMAKER, MASTER 1770)
Three Graces Clock crowned of a love holding a medallion in effigy of Louis XV in finely chiselled bronze and golden
RÉSULT: €15,916



From the high period, 16th century, a rare box entirely carved with decorations in leather medallions representing biblical episodes including Susanna at the Bath, Lot and her daughters, Judith holding the head of Holofernes, David holding the head of Goliath or the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Oath of Eliezer changed hands for 7,908 euros. In addition, this oak panel carved in high relief representing Adam and Eve gathering the fruit of the Tree of the Science of Good and Evil, sold for 16,250 euros, more than three times its low estimate. 
 
14 - CASE
in Buxus carved in bas-relief with a domed lid.
RÉSULT: €7,908

 
15 - PANEL
carved in oak in high relief representing Adam and Eve gathering the fruit of the Tree of the Science of Good and Evil.
RÉSULT: €16,250



Finally, there were some very fine bidding battles among the last lots of the sale. A Chinese-inspired satin marquetry cabinet in the Louis XVI style was sold for 16,900 euros, more than 3 times its low estimate, while a superb French-made violin by Hippolyte Chrétien Sylvestre Neveu was sold for 19,500 euros, almost 4 times its low estimate.
 
153 - CABINET
in satin marquetry inlaid with black Chinese lacquer panels and highlights gold
with a Chinese pattern in the middle of branches surrounded by floral garlands resting on six tapered feet
Louis XVI Style

RÉSULT: €16,900
 
190 - BEAUTIFUL FRENCH-MADE VIOLIN
of
 Hippolyte Chrétien Silvestre Neveu
Bearing its label «A Lyon year 1873»
RÉSULT: €19 500




FRENCH EMPIRE – UNDER THE AEGIS OF MARS

For the very first time, Aguttes offered at auction a collection entirely devoted to the French Empire, as the celebration are getting ready for the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon I. Aguttes specialists worked to bring together objects from various fields: furniture, sculptures, objets d'art, paintings, old drawings, books and manuscripts.  

"Collectors, who are enthusiastic about this illustrious historical period, have been able to appreciate the richness of our selection, a symbol of 19th century France" declared Elodie Beriola, head of the Furniture, Sculptures & Works of Art department, in charge of this sale.  

TOP 5 in sales

284 - RARE DISPLAY SNUFFBOX - With the figure of Emperor Napoleon I in its original case.  - €48,100
331 - MARCEL AUGUSTE ALIAS AUGUSTE RAOUX (1795 – 1871) - Natural horn with interchangeable tones. - €13,000
224 - MICHELANGELO MAESTRI ROME, (1741 – 1812) - Six gouaches depicting frescoes of Pompeii.  - €10,400
291 - ATTRIBUTED TO ALEXIS DECAIX (1778–1811) - Inkwell in finely chiselled gilt bronze and speckled mahogany.  - €10,400
317 - CARLO MAROCHETTI (1805 -1867) - Napoleon on Horseback - €10,400

Tax included
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Some works particularly attracted the attention of seasoned bidders, such as this rare snuff box with the Emperor Napoleon I initials. This goldsmith's jewel in its original case, offered by Napoleon to the owner's family as a thank you for services rendered, was sold for 48,100 euros.
284 - RARE DISPLAY SNUFFBOX
With the Initial of Emperor Napoleon I in its original case
In chiselled gold, oval shaped
RÉSULT: €48,100



A fine remarkable result, for these musical instruments signed by the house of Raoux, which has left its mark on France over five generations, sold for 13,000 euros, almost 10 times its low estimate.
 

331 - ATTRIBUTED TO JEAN-BAPTISTE ISABEY (NANCY, 1767 - 1855, PARIS)
Natural horn with interchangeable tones
RÉSULT: €13,000



Finally, the sale was marked by the richness of the antique paintings & drawings section, with in particular a set of six gouaches by Michelangelo Maestri (1741-1812) which appealed to connoisseurs, sold for 13,000 euros.

224 - MICHELANGELO MAESTRI (1741 - 1812)
Six gouaches depecting frescoes of Pompéi:
The Night;
The Education of Achille with the centaur Nessus;
Helen & Paris;
The Education of Bacchus;
Euterpe, muse of music;
A pratician Family
RÉSULT: €10,400


Upcoming auction
Tuesday 20 April 2021

Head of department
Élodie Beriola -  +33 1 41 92 06 46 -  beriola@aguttes.com 


See the specialist department page
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