PARIS.- The Asian Art department will present, in its next sale, a rock crystal deer from the former personal collection of Coco Chanel. Executed during the Qing dynasty, the statuette which will be sold on 12 June at Christie’s Paris represents a seating deer with its head turned to the right, holding a branch of lingzhi in its mouth (estimate: €2,000-3,000). Presented under a glass protection, the auspicious animal symbolizing longevity has adorned the coffee table of Coco Chanel’s suite at the Ritz Hotel for years.

In June 2018, Christie’s Paris sold a white and brown-glazed biscuit figure of a monkey with the same provenance. This statuette also dating from the Qing dynasty was acquired for €112,500, after a long bidding battle between 12 international collectors, way above its initial estimate of €4,000-6,000.

Nicoul and Camille de Foresta, Specialists of the Asian Art department : “We are delighted to present this rock crystal deer which was sitting in Coco Chanel’s living room for years.x Considering the amazing result realised for the biscuit monkey sold last year, this crystal deer will certainly seduce Asian art lovers as well as Coco Chanel’s numerous admirers, a beautiful testimony of her refined, eclectic and timeless taste.”

Gabrielle Chanel, well known for liberating women through her simple and practical creations, had a great taste for interior decoration, as shown by the numerous photographs of her apartments rue Cambon and at the Ritz. The one whose masculine style caused scandal, was an outstanding collector of decorative art, Design furniture and Asian works of art, as shown by her magnificent collection of 32 Coromandel lacquer screens.