On December 9, 2022, Aguttes held two auctions in Neuilly-sur-Seine: Haute Époque and Classical Arts. A guitar, believed to be a gift from Marie Antoinette to the Marquise de La Rochelambert-Thévalles, sold for €78,000. A private collector acquired this cherished memento, which had been preserved by the descendants of a close friend of the queen.

Top 5 Lots of the Sale

  1. Lot 291 – A Trianon Guitar: €78,000

  2. Lot 78 – Contador Cabinet: €32,500

  3. Lot 307 – Naples, Oval Tray: €27,300

  4. Lot 347 – Eugénie O’Kin, Draped Woman with Lotus: €24,700

  5. Lot 270 – Game Table: €23,400

All prices include fees.

Lot 291
Trianon Guitar
A rare “bateau” style guitar with a body crafted from fruitwood adorned with ivory and ebony inlays, and a finely grained spruce soundboard. The Parisian tuning pegs and intricate openwork ivory rosette depict two doves embracing on a Temple of Love. Made in Paris by Jacques-Philippe Michelot (1734-1814), late 18th century, circa 1775.
Body: 44 cm – String length: 64 cm – Height: 89.5 cm

Provenance:
Presumed gift from Queen Marie-Antoinette of France to the Marquise de La Rochelambert-Thévalles (1758-1835), a lady-in-waiting to Madame Adélaïde and close friend of the queen. The guitar passed by inheritance to her nephew, Henri, Marquis de La Rochelambert (1789-1863), and remained in the family to this day.

This exquisite guitar by Jacques-Philippe Michelot, presented by Aguttes, fetched €78,000 on December 9, 2022. Held within the family lineage of Marie-Antoinette’s confidante, the Marquise de La Rochelambert-Thévalles, this instrument is a testament to 18th-century refinement and elegance.

While no formal documentation confirms the gift from Marie-Antoinette to the Marquise, historian Patrick Barbier in Marie Antoinette and Music notes that the queen frequently purchased musical instruments, often without receipts, to give as gifts to her inner circle. Given the documented close relationship between the queen and the Marquise de La Rochelambert, this family tradition is highly plausible.

Pre-sale transaction agreement
Lot 29 - Imperial Hunts and Falconry of Emperor Maximilian I in the Sonian Forest
A pre-sale agreement was reached on the morning of the auction for this tapestry, estimated at €800,000 - €1,200,000, at a price exceeding the high estimate.

Lot 29
Imperial Hunts and Falconry of Emperor Maximilian I in the Sonian Forest
A rare and monumental tapestry in wool and silk, depicting Emperor Maximilian hunting alongside horses, birds of prey, and dogs. To his right stands his sister, Cunegonde of Austria, and also depicted are Bianca Maria Sforza, Philip of Habsburg (King of Castile), Adrien de Longueval (Master of the Imperial Hunt), Wolfgang von Polheim, Joanna of Castile (known as Joanna the Mad), and Margaret of Habsburg, daughter of Maximilian. To the far left is Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria. The characters are set within a richly adorned floral and wooded landscape representing the Sonian Forest, with the Château de Bouchout near Brussels visible in the background.
Origin: Flanders, workshops of Tournai, early 16th century.
Dimensions: Height 3.05 m; Width 10.25 m - (Exceptional polychromy, cutouts, restorations)

This tapestry is notable for its historical and artistic significance, capturing a detailed portrayal of Imperial hunts and the grandeur of the Habsburg court, presented with exquisite craftsmanship from the early 1500s.

Lot 78
Cabinet Contador in Exotic Wood with Ebony and Bone Marquetry

This intricately crafted cabinet features six upper drawers and three lower drawers, with brass handles and anthropomorphic legs depicting sirens with Spanish-style masks resting on chimeras. Originating from the Portuguese Indies, likely from the 18th century, it reflects the fusion of European and Indian artistry typical of that period.
Dimensions: Height 108 cm - Width 56 cm - Depth 45 cm (showing signs of wear and minor losses)

Bidders eagerly competed for this Cabinet Contador, driving the final bid up to €32,500.

Lot 307
Naples - Attributed to the Royal Manufacture of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon

This oval porcelain tray, attributed to the Royal Manufacture of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, is decorated in polychrome with a central medallion depicting a view of the Bay of Naples, inspired by an engraving by Antonio Cardon (1739-1822). The scene is framed with a gold frieze of scrolls, waves, and palmettes. Inscription: “Veduta di Napoli dalla parte di Levante.”
Dating from the early 19th century, circa 1805.
Dimensions: Width 25.2 cm - Length 32.9 cm

This exquisite porcelain tray featuring a view of Naples captured great interest, reaching a final price of €27,300.

Lot 347
Eugénie O’Kin (1880-1948) - Draped Woman with Lotus

An ivory sculpture embellished with small golden studs, signed with a monogram stamp on the reverse of the base.
Height: 18 cm

Provenance:
From the collection of Georges Rouard (1874-1929) and retained by his descendants to the present day.

This coveted ivory sculpture by Eugénie O'Kin, titled Draped Woman with Lotus, exceeded its high estimate by over tenfold, selling for €24,700. Originally acquired by the esteemed collector and glass-ceramic artist Georges Rouard, this piece has been preserved by his family.

Another notable highlight was Lot 270, a Régence-era Game Table, which sparked a bidding war and achieved €23,400. This table features richly carved and gilded wood with mascarons, floral scrollwork on a grid-patterned background, and cabriole legs ending in dolphin heads, connected by an X-stretcher formed by four dolphins.

Contact for Furniture & Art Objects Department
Grégoire de Thoury
+33 1 41 92 06 46 • thoury@aguttes.com