New York - Christie’s is pleased to present works from The Miottel Museum: Highlights from the S.S. Normandie to be offered in the Design sale taking place live at Rockefeller Center, 7 June 2022 at 11am. The group of important works come from the celebrated ocean liner, the S.S. Normandie, which entered service in 1935, and was known as the fastest passenger ship of its era. In its prime, the vessel was a floating masterpiece of French Art Deco design, a feat of innovation, modernization and supreme luxury. Its exquisite interior and novel design has led many to collect memorabilia, but none more successfully than John Miottel of Berkeley, California.

John Miottel was one of the first pilots in the US Navy to fly the F8U-1 Crusader, a revolutionary advancement in aviation, much akin to the groundbreaking S.S. Normandie at its time. Fascinated by ocean liners since early childhood, Miottel assembled over decades one of the most comprehensive collections of design and memorabilia from the Normandie in the world. The objects on offer from the Miottel Museum at Christie’s showcase the finest examples of furniture and décor made for S.S. Normandie from designers such as Jean Dunand, Jean Dupas and Pierre Patout.

The group is led by iconic verre églomisé panels by Jean Dupas which graced the walls of the Grand Salon aboard the renowned ocean liner. Several panels featured in the sale are from 'The Rape Of Europa' mural depicting cascading waves, mythological figures and large scale nautical ornamentation. The top example of the verre églomisé is a flat panel and its corresponding curved continuation of design from the 2^nd row of Starboard-Front (S-F) from the mural ‘The Rape of Europa’ estimated at $50,000-70,000. Two additional panels from this mural are also on offer including another figurative example ($50,000-70,000) and an example depicting fragment of the ship's mast ($20,000-30,000).

Among the pieces of Art Deco furniture from different rooms of the famed ocean liner is a low chair from the Grand Salon by Jean-Maurice Rothschild and Emile Gaudissard, estimate $5,000-7,000. Also from the Grand Salon is an eggshell lacquer games table with reversible top designed by Jean Dunand, estimate $20,000-30,000. Iconic rattan armchairs from the Winter Garden will be offered, estimate $6,000-8,000. Sourced from the S.S. Normandie’s first-class dining room are a set of six armchairs by Pierre Patout, estimate $20,000-30,000.

The works from The Miottel Museum will be available for public viewing from 2 - 7 June at Christie’s galleries in Rockefeller Center. The Design sale will take place Tuesday, 7 June at 11am.