Paris Sale Lasts Three Days With Soaring Art Appraisals
Posted April 11th, 2011 by Patrick van der Vorst
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (1879-1933) and André Tardieu (1876-1945). Bureau and Chair "Tardieu". 1929. Sold for, €2,305,000
Christie’s three-day long sale closed on March 31st with the auction house bringing-in a total of €35.1 million (£31.9 million). The sale consisted of 875 lots all from the Château de Gourdon collection in Paris. The majority of the items were of the French decorative arts and design, which was collected by Laurent Negro in the past fifteen years. The sale items have always been on view at the family’s château in the Southern French Alps.
The sale was conducted at the Palais de Tokyo in the Trocardero. The museum-style curated show was very impressive to many international collectors. The sale concluded with 84% of the works being sold as well as a complete total including premiums of €42 million falling within the presale estimate of €35-50 million.
A sale highlight includes the French designer, Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. His work “skis”, a chaise longue chair, sold for €2.5 million to a European collector being an auction record for the artist. Although the sale was considered a success, there were also many blue-chip artists such as Eileen Grey and Jean Dunand who sold either on the low estimate price or were bought-in and not sold. Those pieces that did sell, many records were reached as well as a hefty price tag for the auction house.
Jean Dunand (1877-1942): Assembly of Woodwork, "Palms", circa 1930. Sold for €2,193,000.
But a three-day auction is a long time. Would you consider following an auction that last more than one day?
