PARIS.- On November 20, Christie’s will present the ninth edition of The Exceptional Sale, a highly anticipated event for art collectors and enthusiasts. This sale will feature an extraordinary selection of masterpieces spanning various categories: decorative arts, rare books, haute couture, and even classic cars. Each item in the sale is remarkable, whether for its provenance, craftsmanship, or rarity, ensuring a captivating experience for all attendees.
Honoring André Charles Boulle, Master Cabinetmaker
French furniture holds a special place in The Exceptional Sale, and this year offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the genius of André Charles Boulle, one of the greatest cabinetmakers of all time. His innovative marquetry techniques elevated furniture design to an unprecedented level of perfection, making his creations highly sought after. The sale includes five exquisite pieces of Boulle marquetry, all showcasing his exceptional skill. Standout items include a pair of pedestals (estimated at €200,000–400,000), a pair of cabinets (€100,000–200,000), and a Louis XIV-era desk (€100,000–150,000).
René Dubois, another renowned cabinetmaker, followed in Boulle’s footsteps nearly a century later. Known as "the Queen’s cabinetmaker," Dubois created luxurious furniture often inspired by Boulle’s work. Among the highlights of the sale is an elegant pair of consoles by Dubois, featuring intricate bronze details (estimated at €400,000–600,000).
Monumental Pieces from the Grand Siècle
One of the sale’s most spectacular pieces is a magnificent 17th-century Savonnerie carpet, blending Persian, Dutch, and French influences. This work exemplifies the grandeur of French craftsmanship and carries an estimate of €200,000–300,000.
A historic relic from Napoleon’s military legacy is also on offer. On August 15, 1816, while exiled on Saint Helena, Napoleon personally drew a map of the Battle of Rivoli, a pivotal victory from 1797. The map, adorned with a wreath from Saint Helena and a Legion of Honor medal, is valued at €60,000–80,000.
Other monumental works include a stunning marble vase by Charles Adrien Prosper d'Epinay, the “sculptor of sovereigns.” Featuring allegorical figures representing Summer and Winter, this impressive piece (known as the “Duke of Gramont’s vase”) is estimated at €80,000–120,000. Additionally, a rare set of four marble statues representing mythological couples, once displayed in the gardens of Quinta da Fidalga in Portugal, will also be up for auction, with an estimate of €80,000–120,000.
Emotional Tributes to Madame Elisabeth and Napoleon
The sale offers a touching reminder of Madame Elisabeth, sister of Louis XVI, with a royal marquise chair commissioned for her in 1789. This poignant piece, made by master craftsman Jean-Baptiste-Claude Séné, is one of the last royal commissions before the French Revolution, with an estimate of €80,000–120,000. It recalls the tragic fate of Madame Elisabeth, who was executed during the Reign of Terror.
Napoleon enthusiasts will also find two rare porcelain plates from a service commissioned by the Emperor himself in 1807. These plates were originally crafted for the Emperor’s wedding banquet and later altered for Louis XVIII. Napoleon took some pieces with him to Saint Helena, and these two remaining plates are estimated at €200,000–300,000 each.
