Beyond Boundaries: Avant-Garde Masterworks and Magnificent Jewels from a European Collection
The sale of these exceptional pieces, offered in the second half of 2017 in New York, Geneva and Paris, represents ‘one of the greatest moments of the autumn season’
This exceptional collection, assembled by a couple with a keen eye for art and design, comprises around 180 works from five categories: Impressionist and Modern Art, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Jewels, African Art and Design.
‘This collection is without doubt one of the greatest moments of the autumn season,’ says Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie’s. ‘Not only because this group of works is of the highest quality and refinement, but also because this collection has a soul, a unique spirit. It is obvious that every object has been chosen with passion and with an extraordinary liberty by this couple of collectors.’
Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944), Improvisation mit Pferden (Studie für Improvisation 20), painted in 1911. 28 x 39 in (71.1 x 99.1 cm). Estimate: $9,000,000-15,000,000. This lot is offered in the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on 13 November 2017 at Christie’s in New York
The Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary Art section was assembled with the guidance of renowned advisor Alain Tarica, who also worked with Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, and Hubertus and Renata Wald. The selection is led by Wassily Kandinsky’s Improvisation mit Pferden (Studie für Improvisation 20), executed in 1911 and estimated at between $10,000,000 and $15,000,000.
Gino Severini (1883-1966), Danseuse, executed circa 1914. 40 ½ x 28⅝ in (102.6 x 72.7 cm). Estimate: $1,000,000-2,000,000. This lot is offered in the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on 13 November 2017 at Christie’s in New York
The Impressionist and Modern Art section reflects the connoisseurship of the collectors, who carefully acquired an extraordinary range of Modern and Dadaist masterpieces. In addition to the Kandinsky, the group encompasses examples by some of the most revered Modern and Dada artists of the 20th century, including Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, Man Ray, Gino Severini, Theo van Doesburg and Henri Laurens, among others. Executed in the crucial years between 1911 and 1920, several of these works are the last ones of such importance still in private hands.
Henri Laurens (1885-1954), La bouteille de Beaune, executed in 1915-1916; unique. Depth: 7½ in (19.2 cm). Estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000. This lot is offered in the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on 13 November 2017 at Christie’s in New York
The collection also features 10 contemporary works, including pieces by Dan Flavin, Jean Fautrier and Yves Klein. Of these, a beautiful Klein Monogold from 1959 will be offered in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction in New York.
An Art Nouveau enamel, diamond and pearl pendent necklace, by René Lalique. Depicting four enamelled wasps with diamond wings on a window enamel and opalescent glass hawthorn branch, suspending a baroque pearl, to the chain set with two enamelled leaves, 1899-1901. Pendant 9.5 cm, necklace 51.0 cm, with French assay marks for gold. Estimate: CHF 90,000-130,000. This lot is offered in Beyond Boundaries: Magnificent Jewels from a European Collection on 13 November 2017 at Christie’s in Geneva
Each of the 113 Art Deco and Art Nouveau jewels offered in Geneva on 13 November reflects the passion of the collector, who liked to surprise his wife with beautiful pieces by René Lalique and Georges Fouquet.
An Art Nouveau opal and enamel brooch, by René Lalique. Modelled as a naturalistic plum branch, the two plums set with geometric opal panels, to the textured gold stems and green enamel leaves, circa 1900. 11.0 cm, with French assay marks for gold, in René Lalique fitted case. Estimate: CHF 90,000-130,000. This lot is offered in Beyond Boundaries: Magnificent Jewels from a European Collection on 13 November 2017 at Christie’s in Geneva
This personal jewellery collection, estimated at SFr.2,300,000-3,300,000, is led by a spectacular ‘Cedar’ pendant by Fouquet (estimate: SFr.100,000-150,000).
Marc Newson (1963), Pod of drawers, created in 1987. Estimate: €500,000-700,000
The world of design is represented by pieces by some of the 20th century’s greatest artists, including Ron Arad, Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott and Marc Newson. Newson’s iconic Pod of drawers, from 1987 (estimate: €500,000-700,000), is still frequently referenced by contemporary practitioners.
Ron Arad (1951), Chaise longue Narrow Pappardelle, created in 1992. Estimate: €80,000-120,000
The African and Oceanic Art sale in Paris in November will include two objects from the collection, including an important Hemba figure from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Estimated at €200,000-400,000, this superb statue was acquired from the renowned French dealer Jacques Kerchache.
Hemba figure, Democratic Republic of Congo. Estimate: €200,000-400,000
Sales dates and locations
Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale — November 2017, New York; Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction — November 2017, New York; Magnificent Jewels — 13 November 2017, Geneva; Design — 20 November 2017, Paris; African and Oceanic Art — 22 November 2017, Paris; Post-War and Contemporary Art — 6 December 2017, Paris