GENEVA.- Piguet Auction House announced its next major auction in December. After the success of a remarkable public exhibition at the Beau-Rivage Hotel in Geneva to preview some of the star lots, everyone is now invited to discover all 3,000 lots featuring in the end-of-year auctions which carry a total estimate of CHF 4 to CHF 5.8 million. The viewing is open 6 to 8 December at the Prévost-Martin showrooms.

This winter session will include 1,500 lots available on the Online Only auctions at www.piguet.com running from 29 November to 9/10 December including jewellery, watches, luxury handbags, works of art, furniture and paintings, all with attractive estimates as the holidays approach.

The Rare books sale opens the auctions running from 9 to 12 December, with two major collections of 18th century illustrated books and surrealist publications in their original signed artists’ bindings. The Ancient Art and Antiquities sale features an important collection of Greco-Roman ceramics and terracotta from the former collection of Dr. Fouquet from Cairo. The Graphic Arts are also in the spotlight with the rediscovery of a work by Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) which is so far unseen by the art market. A wide selection of Modern art works by Bernard Buffet, Maurice Utrillo, Botero (36 drawings), etc. also feature in this sale and finally, the Fine Jewellery and Watches sales close the week of auctions.

Rare Books
December’s auctions begin on Tuesday 10 December at 2pm with the Books and Manuscripts sale. Two important collections feature in this specialist category. The first is from a Basel-based collector of 18th century illustrated books. Each one is an original printed period work and is illustrated by the most important engravers of the 18th century. Bibliophiles will be able to discover one of the most revered editions of Don Quixote de Cervantes (lot 23, estimated at CHF 4,000-6,000) as well as a collection entitled receuil de différentes choses by the Marquis de Lassay with the arms of the Countess du Barry (1743-1793), the last Chief Mistress of Louis XV, King of France. The books compile small facts, memories, historical and genealogical pieces, gallant notes, thoughts, portraits, stories and anecdotes of his lifetime (lot 25, estimate: CHF 3,000-5,000).

The second collection (120 lots) is that of a Greek doctor who became Swiss through naturalisation in 1970. He created an important collection of surrealist works and tracts for which he himself selected the artist (Miguet, Martin, etc.) to design the binding according to each text and illustration within. Like a dialogue between text and binding, each work is unique; work that reminds us of the excellence of the best art craftsmen. A few examples of this are the works Hebdomeros by Chirico in a binding made in 1977 by J.-P- Miguet, based on a binding by Marie Reynolds on a Marcel Duchamp project (lot 142, estimate: CHF 700-900) and La brebis galante by Benjamin Peret and Max Ernst in a binding signed P.L. Martin dated 1978 (lot 197, estimate: CHF 3,000-5,000).

Ancient Art, the Dr. Fouquet Collection
Tuesday evening’s auction will see the sale of a variety of Ancient Art from the collection of Captain Patrick Pakenham, formerly the collection of Dr. Fouquet from Cairo. Dr. Fouquet, a French doctor and archaeologist based in Cairo, began his collection in 1882 and became famous for his selection, perfectly representative of Alexandrian art. In addition to scenes from daily life, religion and leisure, it was his profession that particularly attracted him to unusual ceramics and terracotta, anatomically interpreting the disabled, the sick and the grumpy. His collection is published in a 1921 book where almost all of this session is referenced. Although of relatively low commercial value, Dr. Fouquet's collection is of great cultural importance and heritage.

Captain Patrick Pakenham's collection also includes interesting Luristan bronzes and a notable collection of Far Eastern works of art from the C. T. LOO & Cie Gallery, one of the most important Parisian Chinese art dealers of the 20th century (sale on Wednesday, December 11 at 10:00 am).

Swiss and Modern Art in the spotlight
Important announcement to Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) enthusiasts: Piguet Auction House has discovered a painting by the artist in a collection in the Canton of Vaud, unpublished and unseen by the art market due to its being in private hands for nearly a century. This landscape from La Seine to Valvins, dated 1901, is a precious oil painting in that it marks the beginning of a new era for the painter. Following his experience with Les Nabis, from 1901 onwards Félix Vallotton developed a new way of interpreting landscapes; modern, minimalist, favouring flat tints of colour and bordering on the abstract. The work presented is one of the first so-called "compound" landscapes (lot 778, estimate: CHF 100,000-150,000).

The Paintings sale on Wednesday 11 December will continue in the evening with Modern Art and the auction of four large-format oil paintings on canvas signed by Bernard Buffet (lots 842 to 845, estimates between CHF 40,000 and 150,000, lot 842 opposite), a work by Jean Dufy (1888-1964) (lot 846, estimate: CHF 40,000-60,000) and two oils by Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955) (lots 869 and 870, estimates between CHF 40,000 and CHF 80,000).

The sale will also include 36 drawings and caricatures by Fernando Botero (1932) appearing for the first time on the art market having been given as gifts by the artist himself (lots in both the Online Only sale and saleroom auction with estimates between CHF 600 and 12,000).

Exceptional Fine Jewellery, Silverware and Russian works of art
Thursday evening’s Jewellery and Watches sale, a gold, platinum and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels necklace will be up for grabs, referenced and hallmarked by Georges Lenfant (lot 1266, estimate: CHF 50,000-70,000). A brilliant and unsung designer of early 20th century jewellery, this virtuoso was fascinated by goldsmithing. He created many pieces by mixing and intertwining gold and precious materials to design some of the most beautiful pieces of Art Deco and Modern jewellery of the 20th century. Among his most loyal and illustrious clients are Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. The necklace presented by Piguet is one of the most notable examples of his masterful work.

A sizeable 16.55 carat Colombian emerald (lot 1280, estimate: CHF 65,000-75,000) stands out among the lots, as well as a Harry Winston First Excenter watch, ref 200-MASR37W (lot 1161, estimate: CHF 15,000-20,000). The sale will also include a wide selection of watches by Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, IWC and jewellery by Cartier, Chopard, Pomellato, Van Cleef & Arpels.

Among the 3,000 lots to be presented this December is a fine selection of luxury handbags, around 20 of which Hermès, including a So Kelly alligator bag estimated at CHF 10,000-15,000 (lot 911) and around 15 Louis Vuitton hard cases and bags. Two magnificent Viennese silver ewers in the Silverware session come from the late 18th century Imperial service of Duke Albert of Saxony-Teschen and his wife Marie-Christine of Austria, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and sister of Queen Marie Antoinette (lot 413, estimate: CHF 15,000-20,000). In the Russian art session, a series of six silver bears attributed to Fabergé (lot 323, estimated at CHF 15,000-20,000) and an imposing Imperial presentation kovsh by Grachev (lot 324, estimated at CHF 30,000-50,000) will draw the attention of collectors.