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For Immediate Release23 November 2011
Contact: Aliz Morand +44 207 389 2537 [email protected]
AN IBERIAN PRIVATE COLLECTIONA TREASURE TROVE OF LUXURIOUS
GIFTS
London Christies is pleased to announce the upcoming auction An
Iberian Private Collectionwith
Part I: Important Gold Boxes & Objects of Vertuon 8 December
2011 and Part II: Furniture, Silver, Jewellery,
Paintings, European, Chinese and Islamic Ceramics on 9 December
2011. This eclectic collection, which spans
the 16th to the 21st century, reflects the exquisite taste of a
passionate collector and includes exceptional
golden splendors which will appeal to both serious collectors
and individuals looking for luxurious gifts
in the festive season.
This superb collection was formed over five decades by a
visionary connoisseur, known for his refined
taste and expertise and a prominent figure in the art world
since the 1960s. The sale is led by precious
materials, notably gold which is present in all forms, from raw
nuggets, gold leaf and ingots to elegant
jewellery, engraved gold boxes and chased ornaments. Nearly 250
gold boxes and objects of vertu form
Part I of the sale, with opulent and sophisticated designs,
outstanding provenance and craftsmanship by
the most renowned goldsmiths. Fine silver pieces, Chinese and
European porcelain, Islamic Iznik
ceramic and luxurious French and Iberian furniture are amongst
the many other highlights of this
collection which is remarkable in its breadth, diversity and
quality. The two-part sale is estimated toachieve in the region of
2.5 million and comprises over 600 lots, with estimates starting
from under
1,000. Top highlights include:
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MINIATURES & GOLD BOXES
A George II gold snuff-boxby Francis Harrache (1738-1754) is an
elegant example of
guilloch or engine-turning engraving (estimate: 50,000-70,000
illustrated left).
Very much in the French taste and unlike other gold boxes by
Francis Harrache,
this example was produced in 1757; it is a timeless
classic.
This fine Louis XV enamelled gold snuff-boxby Jean Fremin
(1738-1786), Paris,
epitomises the skill and craftsmanship of the Parisian
goldsmiths that were
working during the reign of Louis XV. Created in 1759/1760, it
is enamelled
with a parrot, an example of the popularity that exotic birds in
decorative scenes enjoyed on gold boxes
during the 1750s and early 1760s (estimate:
200,000-300,000illustrated right).
CHINESE &EUROPEAN CERAMICS
A large Chinese export Monogrammed part-dinner servicefrom the
late Qianlong
period, circa1785-1795, reflects the quality of the porcelain on
offer. It
includes various tureens, sauce boats, and a large series of
plates, decorated in
blue enamel and gilt with the monogram JLF in a shield
(estimate: 20,000-
30,000illustrated left).
FURNITUREA George III brass mounted satinwood amaranth and
painted sideboard, with its
mirrored back, rich shimmering satinwood surface and elegant
lines
would be a superb dining room piece set with decorative
silver,porcelains or glassware. Of the late 18th century, possibly
by George
Simson, it is estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 (illustrated
right).
SILVER A Portuguese Silver Flagonis a rare and large example
of
Portuguese silver from the 17th century - amphora-shaped
and with the front engraved with a coat of arms within
foliage mantling (estimate: 50,000-80,000 - illustrated
left).
This Portuguese silver-gilt salver, circa 1530-40 (illustrated
right)
comes from the de Sousa family of Prado, descendants of an
illegitimate son of King Alphonso III of Portugal (estimate:
70,000-100,000). The coat of arms and feet probably date
from the 18th century.
OLD MASTER PICTURESPeaches, grapes, nectarines, strawberries,
cherries, corn, a pomegranate and other fruit hanging from a
blue ribbon in a niche is an opulent still-life by important
Antwerp artist Joris van Son
(1623-1667). The poet Cornelis de Bie described its fruits as so
naturalistic that they
would tempt a pregnant woman alluding to the symbolism of
fecundity and
prosperity evoked by the painting (estimate:
20,000-30,000illustrated left).
