TIMELESS SPLENDOUR AND CHARM 

CENTURIES OF STYLE, NOVEMBER 2014

London – Christie’s Centuries of Style sale on 25 to 26 November 2014 will offer collectors a varied array of rare and beautiful masterpieces from across the ages. Comprising 497 lots, including Silver, European Ceramics, Portrait Miniatures and Gold Boxes, the sale is expected to realise in excess of £3 million.

GOLD BOXES

The auction showcases a fine selection of gold boxes from the 18^th and 19^th centuries, each displaying outstanding craftsmanship from celebrated European goldsmiths. Of particular note is an important Saxon gold-mounted stein-cabinet snuff-box by Johann-Christian Neuber circa 1790 (estimate: £150,000-200,000). This exquisite lot demonstrates the skill and imagination with which Neuber employed the technique of zellen mosaic lapidary, utilising hardstones that were mined in Saxony, to international acclaim. Of distinguished provenance is a beautifully decorated Louis XVI snuff-box by renowned Parisian goldsmith Joseph-Etienne Blerzy, previously in the collection of Mayer Carl von Rothschild (estimate: £80,000-120,000). The auction also features a spectacular Swedish enamelled gold snuff-box by Paul Gerhard Zachoun (estimate: £100,000-120,000) offered directly from a descendent of Charles Louis Fouché, 6^th Duc d’Ortrante. Swedish gold boxes displaying this standard of quality rarely come to market and this is an exceptional example of the craft that existed among the very few goldsmiths that were working in Stockholm during this period.

EUROPEAN CERAMICS 

The European ceramics section offers a range of English and European pottery and porcelain including a Portuguese faience bottle dated 1635 (estimate: £4,000-6,000) and an unusual group of English delft drug-jars  (estimate: £2,000-3,000). The sale also includes a collection of colourful trompe l’oeil English porcelain boxes  (estimates ranging from £1,000-1,500 to £5,000-8,000) and a group of boldly decorated botanical wares (estimates ranging from £2,500-4,000 to £3,000-5,000). Exemplifying the quality and breadth of extraordinary ceramics in the sale is a spectacular Meissen temple table centerpiece, circa 1750 (estimate £30,000-50,000), which is a very rare survival. This classical temple made from porcelain is decorated with military trophies which likely allude to the original owner’s military success. By the second quarter of the 18^th century porcelain had replaced sugar as the material of choice for table decorations as it was suitably expensive but more durable. Previously sugar-paste was moulded to create all manner of table decorations including figures, temples and even gardens and carriages. Centerpieces were usually designed to mark important state or ceremonial occasions, and they frequently depicted mythological or military themes. Additional star lots from this category include an important and exceptionally rare Sèvres Etruscan style vase from 1807 (estimate: £60,000-80,000), which was given by Emperor Napoleon I to Prince Wilhelm of Prussia in 1808.  Napoleon sent the vase as an act of diplomacy after the signing of the Treaty of Paris following Prussia’s defeat. It was painted by Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret and his Etruscan style decoration  refers to Napoleon’s military success in Egypt and Syria between 1798 and 1801.  An important piece of Imperial propaganda, the vase portrays in Napoleon in the guise of Asclepius, the Greek God of medicine, endowing himself with the power to heal the people of the city of Jaffa. 

PORTRAIT MINATURES

Presenting 134 portrait miniatures including royal sitters such as King Louis XIV, Napoleon II, King Charles X and King Louis XVIII of France, this remarkable offering displays the artistry of some of the most prominent names in portraiture including Jean-Laurent Mosnier, Ferdinando Quaglia, François Dumont, John Smart, George Engleheart and Richard Cosway, R.A. Of exceptional interest is a charming array of English miniatures, last seen on the market in the 1940s. The collection is led by John Smart’s portrayal of Richard Edgcumbe, 2^nd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe (estimate: £12,000-18,000).  Edgcumbe was a member of the society Antiquaries and a keen performer, best known for his involvement in theatre and opera, and as a result inspired one of the characters depicted in Zoffany’s Tribuna of the Uffizi. Additional outstanding examples include a portrait miniature of a young lady by the French artist Frédéric Dubois (estimate: £15,000-25,000), painted during the artist’s sojourn in Russia between 1804 to 1818 and a lady writing a letter by French artist Jean-Laurent Mosnier (estimate: £15,000-25,000), from the celebrated collection of Félix Panhard.

SILVER

A spectacular assembly of over 180 pieces of silver is led by two important collections. The first presents an enduring tale of friendship marrying together two inspiring collections, whereby the silver collected by Gregory de Ligne Gregory (d.1854), a wealthy Lincolnshire landowner, was bequeathed to his friend Sir Glynne Earle Welby 3^rd Bt.  Gregory’s passion for the Baroque style and his search for the historic resonate throughout the collection. Seeking works with superior provenance, the lots offered include a pair of silver sconces by the Augsburg silversmith Peter Rahm (estimate: £30,000–50,000) along with two sets of four wall sconces originally from the Royal Collection (estimates: £50,000–80,000). The sale will also feature a selection of extraordinary spoons as part of The Runnymede Collection. Many of the lots have notable provenances such as the 2^nd  Earl of Warrington along with the Ellis, Biggs and Patterson collections and have been sourced from across the globe through auctions and specialist silver dealers including the legendary spoon dealer and collector Mrs. How of How of Edinburgh. The wonderfully broad chronological range of spoons, dating from the 14^th to 18^th centuries, include all of the main types. Of special interest is the Romsey/ Ashburnham spoon, considered to be of the very few gold spoons to have survived, it is thought to be the earliest hallmarked example (estimate: £30,000-50,000).  An additional highlight of the sale includes a Henry VII Parcel-Gilt Silver Apostle Spoon featuring St. John, 1498, (estimate: £30,000-50,000). Apostle spoons traditionally would have been made in groups of twelve, one to represent each apostle, to which the Master was added to make a set of thirteen.  However, given the relatively small number of complete sets to have survived, it is likely that they were intended to be given as gifts, either individually or in pairs.

PRESS CONTACT

Lauren Clarke | +44 (0) 207 389 2391 |laurenclarke@christies.com

NOTES TO THE EDITORS:

About Christie’s

Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2013 that totaled £2.4 billion/ $3.68 billion. In 2012, Christie’s had global auction and private sales that totaled £3.92 billion/$6.27 billion making it the highest annual total in Christie’s history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.  Private sales totaled £465.2 million ($711.8 million) in the first half of 2013, an increase of 13% on the previous year, and for the third successive year represents the highest total for the period in both company and art market history.

Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

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