Furniture & Works of Art

The Art of Transmission

The department defines itself as a transmitter of these items that often belong to the history of our families. Too many masterpieces remain forgotten or undervalued, both in terms of preservation and appreciation. The solicitation of our expertise services almost always leads to the discovery of previously unsuspected treasures, overlooked due to everyday negligence. Parting with a cultural asset for practical, economic, or familial reasons must be handled with the discretion and seriousness demanded by the significant history and sensitivity attached to it.

Preserving Family Memory

The memory of the family is, in our view, inseparable from this identification work. Our interests are perfectly aligned with those of our seller clients. We systematically promote the items entrusted to us by highlighting their importance and origin to a wide audience of bidders worldwide, as was the case with the sale of the Montpatey Castle furniture and Mr. B's Hache furniture collection. As the proverb teaches us, "It's not the possessions that make one happy, but how they are used."

The Department's Role

Our specialists' fieldwork, the Inventories & Collections department, and our representative offices allow us to see a large number of items. We expertly and intelligently distribute them to organize specialty sales each year, followed by our international collector clients.

Our internal expertise and love for the history of objects—whether ceramics, sculptures—allow us to cover the entire history of French, European, and foreign decorative arts from archaeology and the Gothic period to the end of the 19th century. The core of our sales includes Haute Époque, Renaissance furniture, and pieces from the reigns of Louis XIII, Louis XIV, and the Enlightenment (Regency, Louis XV, Louis XVI). The Consulate, Directory, and Empire periods are also dynamically represented, with auctions exclusively dedicated to the Empire theme. Finally, we cover Restoration, Charles X, and Second Empire furniture.

The World of Furniture and Art Collections

Aguttes annually disperses numerous private collections. The Furniture, Sculpture & Art Objects Department recorded over €3 million in auction sales last year for these collections.

Aguttes supports the objects, works, and their sellers by offering customized communication in the spirit of the collector. The support for these collection sales is entirely personalized. The department head and their team develop the best strategy for dispersal, which may involve various types of auctions or online sales. Usually, depending on its importance, the collection is presented in a dedicated catalog with a specially designed visual identity. The geographical setting of the sale is determined based on its relevance. Sales can take place at Aguttes’ auction house in Neuilly-sur-Seine or any other location in France or abroad. Pre-sale public exhibitions are opportunities to meet our buyers and provide them with advice. We offer pieces sought for their quality of execution, featuring great signatures of cabinetmakers, clockmakers, sculptors, goldsmiths, chisellers, and ornament makers from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

Benefit from our expertise to auction furniture and works of art

The auction house offers a unique communication strategy and provides sellers with modern, targeted tools to ensure effective international exposure. We pay particular attention to the production of our auction catalogues, both in their design and content, whether in print or fully digital format. During our marketing campaigns, we engage buyers from our extensive client base across all specialties, as well as identified potential buyers. We reach out to them through multiple channels—online and offline advertising, social media, email campaigns, media coverage, influencers, and auction platforms—using high-quality and tailored content, including images, text, and video.

Free and confidential valuations of furniture and works of art

Our experts travel throughout France and across Europe, working in collaboration with our regional offices to carry out valuations and appraisals of your pieces. Ahead of an appointment, you may also submit a valuation request by sending a description, photographs, and any available documentation related to the piece via the online valuation form, or directly by email to our specialist.

Discover our auction calendar and offices.

Good to know: Our Furniture & Works of Art department organizes 4 to 6 auctions per year in Paris.