21 results

Wed 29 May

Monumental cabinet in molded, carved, painted and silvered painted wood, with a curved front and sides, opening to two leaves and two drawers, decorated with cartouches, rocaille, garlands of flowers and palms. Probably surrounded by Johann Christian Hoppenhaupt (1719-1785). Germany, probably Posdam, circa 1750-1760. H. 248 cm - W. 210 cm - D. 70 cm PFD Provenance : Former Fischer-Boehler Gallery, Munich, private collection, Germany, sale Zurich, Koller, June 18, 2009, lot 1070. The Parisian rocaille style spread to Germany during the 18th century thanks to the engravings of François de Cuvilliés (1695-1768). Cuvilliés intensified the style's distinctive features, moving it towards a more unbridled style, accentuating asymmetrical curves and developing more jagged models by cutting out more of the motifs' contours. His numerous engravings flooded the market in the mid-18th century, so that a large number of German sculptors adopted a very characteristic type of decoration, found notably in Johann August Nahl (1710-1781) and his pupils, the brothers Johann Michael (1709-1755) and Johann Christian Hoppenhaupt (1719-1785). This style spread throughout Germany in the second third of the 18th century. It flourished in the south, around Munich, notably in the Amalienburg Pavilion at Schloss Nymphenburg. Decorated by Cuvilés and the painter and sculptor Johann Baptist Zimmermann (1680-1758), the round hall of mirrors is entirely decorated with a profusion of silver Rococo motifs on a blue background. The same spirit can also be found in Prussia, particularly in Potsdam's New Palace at Sanssouci, many of whose rooms are decorated in silver on a white background. The Haupenhaupt brothers were the main sculptors of both woodwork and furniture. Johan Christian created a number of furniture models, which he had engraved and published in a style entirely comparable to the armoire shown here. In this respect, he is a plausible attribution for this cabinet. Many similar pieces of furniture are still preserved at the Nouveau Palaus (see G. Streidt and P. Feierabend, Prussia, art and architecture, Oldenburg, 1999), others are published in P. Meister and H. Jedding, Les beaux meubles au fil des siècles, Heidelberg, 1958.

No estimate

Sun 26 May

China, Qianlong period (1735-1796) Pair of small Shui-hu-Zhuan cabinets in polychrome lacquer in relief on a gold background, opening with two leaves and revealing a large drawer at the top and two flights of three small drawers with handles decorated with gold foliage on a burgundy background. They stand on red lacquer feet with carved dragon heads. Shell hinges and engraved metal corners. The exterior decoration is inspired by the Shui-hu-Zhuan novel ("At the water's edge"). The front and top depict bands of outlaws hunting hares and foxes with bow and arrow. The sides are adorned with bouquets of flowers and a branching bird. Height 37 Width 38.5 Depth 28 cm. (small accidents and missing parts) Provenance: Monegasque collection. China, Qianlong Period. A pair of lacquered cabinets depicting scenes from the Shui-hu-Zhuan novel. LAQUER DES HORS LA LOI, by Aymeric Rouillac This pair of cabinets belongs to a rare group of European, mainly French, furniture featuring highly colored lacquer panels on a gold background, depicting in light relief bands of outlaws hunting. The decor is inspired by the Chinese novel Shui-hu-Zhan ("At the Water's Edge"), one of the four great classical texts of the Ming dynasty. It recounts the exploits of one hundred and eight brigands, revolting against the corruption of the government and high officials of the emperor's court. Hordes of brigands clash in duels, between scenes of looting, hunting or fishing. Unlike the beautiful commode by Delorme in the Duc de Choiseul's collection at the Château de Chanteloup (Musée de Tours), this pair of Qianlong-period cabinets has not been stripped of its panels for re-use by French cabinetmakers. Four other commodes with such decoration are also known: one in the Château de Talcy (Loir-et-Cher), one by Mathieu Criaerd in the Musée du Louvre (Paris, OA 10456) and the other two in private collections (Sotheby's sale, Paris, June 23, 2004, no. 57 and Sotheby's sale Monaco, June 14, 1997, no. 84). A secrétaire à abattant (Paris sale, June 25, 1937, no. 97) and a pair of bas d'armoire by B.V.R.B. (Sotheby's sale, Paris, November 30, 2011, no. 57) are also known. The use of these high-quality panels was therefore reserved for cabinetmakers with the most prestigious clientele, whose production was coordinated and financed by Parisian or Versailles-based mercier merchants. However, together with the screen preserved in the Chinese museum of Empress Eugenie at the Château de Fontainebleau, this pair of cabinets is, to our knowledge, a rare find, the only Chinese furniture of this quality that was not transformed on its arrival in France in the 18th century.

Estim. 18 000 - 25 000 EUR