Some works come from the most prestigious artists of genius of the time, such as Vigée-Lebrun, Maurice Quentin de La Tour, or Thomire Richard Mique and Claude-Louis du Chatelet, all executed.
We also discover objects such as wicker baskets that the queen used during her detention at the Conciergerie,
or the invitation to Dauphin's wedding to Josephine de Saxe.
Each object, however, reflects the history of the royal couple and traces the events that have marked the history of France. Most of the approximately 120 lots, estimated at between €650.000 and €1 million, will be offered at an auction for the first time in decades.
Among the masterpieces of the collection, the album Petit Trianon, which is the masterpiece, both for its historical importance and for its playing qualities. This is a copy that has remained unknown until now, Marie Antoinette. The album consists of 19 linked cards in red morocco with the arms of a crowned gold figure CT (Castle of Trianon). The precious folio is estimated at between 200.000 and 300.000 euros. The album, dated 1781, was drawn up under the direction of the architect Richard Mique, author of “factories” (Theater, Belvedere and Temple of Love) original castle built for Louis XV by Ange-Jacques Gabriel offered by Louis XVI and of his wife.
Also a watercolor overlooking the theater (including a staging identifying the beautiful Lagrenée ceiling) and five other delicate large watercolors by Claude-Louis Châtelet representing the main attractions of the Petit Trianon.
Another work is among the important items of the auction and the Manon Lescaut from the Prévost, 1756 edition, two volumes bound in calfskin with Marie Antoinette and the Trianon TC number, estimated between 25.000 and 35.000 euros. The presence of Manon Lescaut in the Queen's library at Trianon is attested by ancient inventories.
The know-how of the best craftsmen of the XVIII ° century is also expressed through the furniture and objects left with the Queen. Thus, two lights will be proposed, estimated at between 60.000 and 100.000 euros. One of these was done about 1788, most probably by Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the part of the baths of Queen Marie Antoinette at Versailles.
A medallion from the Queen's office in Versailles and exhibited at the Exhibition Petit Trianon in 1867 signed by Pierre-Joseph Lorthior (1733-1813), and dated 1781 with the inscription “Marie Antoinette OF AUSTRIA QUEEN OF FRANCE 1774”, on the reverse bears the inscription Great Seal of the Queen's Chancery, engraved by Lorthior du Roy medal engraver, 1781. The object and its splendid Coteau-style enamelled gilt bronze frame are estimated at between 20.000 and 30.000 euros.
A travel kit estimated at between 40.000 and 60.000 euros will also be offered; it was presented at the same exhibition in Versailles in 1955 as the one used during the flight of the royal family to Varenne. However, there is no guarantee certifying the origin but it is nevertheless proved that this is a gift from the Queen for her maid of Mrs Augie Lascans as indicated by the plaque on the cover claim.
an important Presumed portrait of Augustin Blondel Berthelemy Agincourt signed Jean-Baptiste Perronneau (1715-1783) and dated 1765 is estimated between 50.000 and 70.000 euros. Agincourt Berthelemy Blondel (1719-1794) was the son of Augustin de Blondel Gagny, a great art lover who was an important collector of paintings and sculptures. This collection was dispersed in a series of auctions that were held after his death in 1783. Many of the works were acquired by museums, including a painting by Poussin now in the Louvre. Berthelemy became Intendant of the Menus Plaisirs du Roi in 1784, before becoming keeper of the Crown stones and acquiring several works from his father's collection in 1783.
The section of old drawings opens on a pastel attributed to Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1704-1788, at the prestigious provenance, representing the Maréchal de Saxe (1696-1750): it belonged to Marie Justine Benoîte Duronceray (1727- 1772) , dancer, actress and playwright, mistress of Marshal Saxe and wife of Charles Simon Favart.The pastel would remain in the family until 1887. Mentioned in numerous works by La Tour in the early 2006th century, this portrait was recently loaned during the Splendor of the Court of Saxony exhibition, Dresden, in Versailles in Versailles in 50.000. It is estimated between 70.000 to XNUMX euros.
Finally, an oval ivory miniature depicting The Countess of Artois (1756-1805) executed in 1777 by Francois Dumont (1751-1831) between 10.000 and 15.000 euros. King Umberto II of Italy (1904-1983) is represented in some miniature works in his collection. It was also exhibited in 1933 in Turin, the Il Faro museum, in the exhibition Exhibition of thumbnail, entrusted for sale after his death by one of his heirs "To Menus Plaisirs" reappears in 1984 at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris.
Sale: Tuesday 3 November 2015 at 15 pm
Public Exhibition: Thursday 29, Friday 30, Saturday 31 October, Monday, November 2 from 10 to 18h and Tuesday, November 3 from 10h to 14h
Christy: 9, avenue Matignon – 75008 – Paris
