Luxury Goods
Oscar Graf: A Gallery Owner with a Fin de Siècle Spirit
A keen promoter of the wide-ranging Arts & Crafts movement, the son of designer François-Joseph Graf is poised to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his gallery with a new venue in Paris.
T is for Tapestry: Volume 2
The creation of the royal tapestry workshops under Louis XIV broke with the mural approach specific to medieval and Renaissance tapestries. In these spaces dedicated to the service of power, the loom established roots as an art of the multiple, which was also dependent on painting.
Great Burgundy Vintages
A report on a fine sale dedicated to nectars of Burgundy, staged by the Richard Auction House (Mr. Bernard) in Villefranche-sur-Saône on December 18.
In Fontainebleau, the Revival of Clocks
Since 2008, Rolex has been responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the Château of Fontainebleau’s clock collection. After an extensive sponsorship campaign, the once-neglected timepieces are marking time at the site again.
A Clever Monkey Cigar Lighter by Fabergé
Although the imagination and craftsmanship of Fabergé goldsmiths no longer need proving, their timeless creations always make an impact.
T is for Tapestry
In the late Middle Ages, tapestry production, whose origins lay in the East and classical antiquity, was one of the most prominent crafts in Western Europe. Numerous widely-scattered workshops in France already foreshadowed the royal factories of the future.
Lange & Söhne Timepieces Score Big Time
The German watchmaker’s precision models confirmed their powerful appeal.
Hair Ye, Hair Ye!
When wigs came into fashion under Louis XIII, it was for an obvious reason: to hide the royal baldness!
The Lacquered Felines of Jean Dunand, Master of Art Deco
Making their debut on the market, these three big cats date from a turning point in the artist’s career and boast a rare combination of two lacquer techniques.
In Search of Chartreux’s Secrets
This sale of French wines and liqueurs in Beaune, Burgundy, was focused on a secret recipe that is closely guarded by the monks of the Isère monastery.
Cartier, Lord of the Ring
All eyes were on this Art Deco creation: an extremely refined piece of jewelry made by the New York branch around 1925.
Design: The Return of Rattan
Rattan is everywhere, from the pages of fashion magazines to major retailers. How about trying the vintage version?
Monnoyer and the Love of Flowers During the Reign of Louis XIV
Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer was the leading flower painter during the Louis XIV period. Profusion and diversity reign over his charming Baroque compositions.
When Glass Becomes Sculpture
Carved from rock crystal, this shell-shaped cup with a bird on the handle illustrates the art of glassmaking in the 16th century: a technique in which the Italians excelled.
On the Road with André Becker’s Carriage Collection
The auction of André Becker’s carriage collection is a major event in a highly specialized market.
The Bernard De Leye Collection: The Quest for the Exceptional
“Objects do not belong to you,” says Bernard De Leye. “They are just passing through.” The time has come for the Belgian antique dealer and former BRAFA president to pass his collection on to the next custodian. Over 250 pieces, including several of museum quality, are up for sale.
The Mediterranean Sea by Gustave Le Gray
A group of beautiful old photographs from an estate in Touraine, one of the traditional departments of France, will be auctioned off, starting with proofs by Gustave Le Gray.
The Heart of French Cabinetmaking During the Ancien Régime with Boulle and Roussel
Among the furniture in René Simeoni’s collection, three top names in French furniture stand out: André-Charles Boulle, Bernard II Van Riesenburgh and Pierre Roussel.
A Lalanne Rabbit Hops to Success
Modern and natural works were the core of this sale devoted to Claude Lalanne, Raoul Dufy and Jean-Michel Atlan.
An Art Nouveau Ode to Nature by Alphonse Debain
Impressive for its decoration in the purest Art Nouveau vein, this vermeil teapot is the work of Alphonse Debain.
Discover the Treasures of the National Ceramics Museum at Sèvres
Located just outside Paris, the Sèvres Museum is a treasure trove of ceramic arts from across the world. Its current special exhibition celebrates the art of the French gastronomic meal.
Anticipating EX.Paris, the New Parisian Art Fair
Co-organized with the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, the ambitious event planned for November aims to mix traders, high-end jewelry and “haute facture”. But all remains to be built, in a particularly complicated context.
Marie Cuttoli and Joan Miro: The Renewal of Tapestry
This looks almost like a painting with its frame and stretcher, but it is actually a tapestry. Based on a design by Joan Miró, it was hand-woven in three copies.
Nicolas Sageot: The Use of Tortoiseshell in the Age of Louis XIV
Several pieces with rich Louis-Quatorze decoration featured in this Caen auction, led by two lots attributed to Nicolas Sageot.
The Rolex, Comex “Sea-Dweller” Is Bound to Make a Splash
The Swiss watch brand Rolex will once again draw all eyes with a highly sought-after 1980s Comex “Sea-Dweller” model: the famous “Triple 6”.
Precious Chartreuse from France and Spain
It took two days to sell the contents of a collector’s wine cellar, which also held the rarest spirits.
Watches, Cars and a Record for Ettore Bugatti’s Mido Watch
The idea behind this extraordinary auction was to feature two current trends, vintage cars and watches. Success was guaranteed.
Growing E-Commerce Platforms Of Luxury Goods Sets A Trend For Watchmakers To Join The Team
There is a push among the high-end manufacturers of watch to turn to web sales, although the journey still faces resistance and limitations.
