Au Bord Du Lac: An interior by François-Joseph Graf

Christie’s London is pleased to offer Au Bord Du Lac: An interior by François-Joseph Graf in a live auction on 26 January. This unique home, on the shores of Lake Geneva, was one of François-Joseph Graf’s earliest projects after launching his agency in 1986. The collection features French decorative arts, furniture and paintings, predominantly from the late 19th century. Each room had a distinct identity and aesthetic, created by Graf for his clients without slavishly adhering to a particular style or period. Graf combined luxurious materials such as lacquer and gilt-bronze with lustrous ceramics and glass and his own rich fabrics, which when brought together created a home which was both comfortable and opulent. Highlights include a serene garden scene painted at Gerberoy in 1917 by Henri Le Sidaner, a group of ‘Japonisme’ furniture designed by Édouard Lièvre and Gabriel Viardot, an impressive collection of Art Nouveau ceramics by Pierre-Andrien Dalpayrat with innovative colourful glazes, and a suite of burgundy-japanned Aesthetic Movement room panelling painted with exotic birds used in the dining room.

View the sale in person at King Street from 20–25 January.

Take virtual tour