PARIS.- During its Furniture and Works of Art auction held in Paris on Tuesday 28th June, Artcurial will offer a vast panorama of 17th and 19th century European decorative artworks.

The auction will begin with the sale of a collection of golden boxes and decorative objects and will then move on to the collection of an eminent Italian family which was gathered in the 1980s. Works in the style of David Roentgen will be placed alongside French furniture and art works from the baroque and neoclassic periods. An exceptional period writing desk entirely restored in bronze will be on offer and is estimated at 120 000 – 180 000 € / 132 000 – 198 000 $ (lot 81). Traditionally, the use of bronze was reserved for decorative purposes but was occasionally used for furniture bases, just like with those by Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Pieces of furniture which have been entirely restored in bronze are extremely rare. A lacquered Chinese screen from the 18th century is double-faced just like the Russian chandeliers from around 1830, which are also entirely made of bronze.

A collection belonging to an eminent Italian family
The furniture and objects from this diverse collection come from all over Europe. Highlights from Russia include gilt bronze chandeliers dating back to 1830 (lots 71 and 78) one of which has 36 branches and is neoclassic, decorated with acanthus leaves and Minerve masks and owls with open wings. It is estimated at 8 000 – 12 000 € / 8 800 – 13 100 $. Northern Europe is represented by a drop-front writing desk (lot 75) made in England from the first half of the 19th century. It is neoclassic and entirely made of acajou and decorated with engraved bronze and gold (estimation: 40 000 – 60 000 €/ 44 000 – 66 000 $).

Highlights from France include a Mazarin desk from the Louis XIV period (lot 79) with a scale and brass marquetry desktop, decorated with arabesque and flowered garlands and dragonflies and butterflies (estimation: 50 000 – 80 000 €). The journey back in time continues with a table which has been beautifully decorated, the desktop was made by Philippe Poitou, cabinetmaker for the king. (lot 72) This table has a rectangular desktop which has been entirely covered in brass and tin marquetry on a red-tinted scale and dating back to the 17th century. Its base was made during the second half of the 19th century in a ‘Boulle revival’ style and is estimated at 20 000 – 30 000 € / 22 000 – 33 000 $. Finally, it is worth pointing out again the extraordinary period desk which has been restored in bronze (lot 81), estimated 120 000 – 180 000 € / 132 000 – 198 000 $.

The journey across Europe ends in Italy, presenting a pair of neoclassic consoles from the 18th century (84) made from sculpted wood and varnished in a gilt bronze finish with a feminine motif of swans (estimation : 20 000 – 30 000 € / 22 000 – 33 000 $).

A collection of golden boxes
The beginning of this section will be marked by the eagerly anticipated sale, (especially by Chinese collectors) of a set of golden boxes, 20 of which come from the same collection. One will be able to discover a precious varnished perfume dispenser dating back to the middle of the 18th century (lot 10) This object made in France using pieces from the far East is assembled in a Western style ( estimation: 5 000 – 7 000 €/ 5 500 – 7 700 $). The interior of the box contains two small screw-top bottles and a beautiful gold funnel.