London / New York / Paris – Building on the success of Christie’s inaugural international edition of The Collector in April 2023 the much anticipated second series is open for bidding until 31 October, 1 and 3 November, in London, New York and Paris respectively. As previously announced, these sales will include six pairs of Coronation Chairs, in this Coronation year, raising funds for four charities chosen by Their Majesties: Emmaus UK, SafeLives, The Prince’s Trust and The Prince’s Foundation. A celebration of Decorative Arts, The Collector sales present connoisseurs and collectors with a selection of approximately 700 lots in total, spanning important European, English and 19^th century furniture and works of art, to silver, ceramics, glass, clocks and gold boxes, from the 16^th to the 20^th century. Estimates range from some lots offered with no reserve up to £120,000 / $150,000 / €140,000.

Works from across each city have been combined, utilising CGI (computer-generated imagery), to style interiors flooded with warmth and light that highlight the ease with which pieces from all three sales can seamlessly be combined to benefit a specific aesthetic. As exemplified by a host of former tastemakers, from Jane Schulak and David Stark to Charlotte Taylor, such lots can be enjoyed in eclectic and juxtaposed combinations within minimal as well as maximal environments, both traditional or modern. This is already being recognised by many as the April 2023 edition showed: with registered bidders from 50 countries, the sales welcomed 15% of buyers who were new to Christie’s and 14% millennial new bidders and buyers, illustrating the relevance and appeal of this area of the market.

There is a natural ecology to buyers and sellers enjoying and passing on exceptional Decorative Arts with enduring craftsmanship and beauty that have already been lived with, loved and are ready for the next chapter in their journeys.

The London sale is distinguished by pieces with rich provenance from celebrated collections, including those of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, designer Jasper Conran and the Bayreuth Collection of English silver. Highlights include a Louis XVI armoire stamped by Riesener, A George III commode attributed to Ince and Mayhew, a magnificent Napoleon III ‘Japonisme’ clock, a George V silver racing trophy for the Derby stakes with the mark of Mappin and Webb and an extraordinary bottle vase of monumental proportions by William de Morgan.

The New York edition similarly features works of art from notable collections, including that of Niall Smith, a collector, visionary, and dealer of fine furniture. Pieces from his personal collection include a wonderful selection of micromosaics, an array of ‘Grand Tour’ souvenirs, and a curated selection of Biedermeier furniture. From the Heart showcases the porcelain collection of Dr Julius and Joan Jacobson and includes a rare Sèvres ecuelle bowl in the Chinoiserie aesthetic and The Orange Blossom Collection sale series continues with an impressive offering of Silver works of art. Property from the collection of Morton and Norma Lee Funger and a charger from the king’s pantry of Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony also feature in the sale, alongside works by prominent makers, including a set of four George II chairs by Giles Grendey.

In Paris, The Collector brings together works of art that illustrate centuries of artistic creation and features a curated selection of objects and furniture from French and European private collections, with a particular focus on 18^th century France. Some important artisans of the 19^th century, such as François Linke, Sormani and Maison Giroux, are represented alongside the greatest menuisiers of the 18^th century: Jean-Baptiste Boulard, Louis Delanois and Georges Jacob. This season also showcases works with exceptional provenance, including an elegant imperial pair of ployants (stools) from le Palais des Tuileries, an armchair made for the duc des Deux-Ponts and a chair from the château de Saint-Cloud.

Christie’s specialists working on The Collector sales in London, New York and Paris collectively share  over 400 years of expertise between them. The Decorative Arts are fundamental to Christie’s DNA and evolutions – such as CGI, the use of augmented reality, ‘transporting works’ digitally in our proto boxes and the personal aesthetic visions of tastemakers – are sought out, welcomed and embraced as part of the global team’s continuing work to captivate and inspire new and existing collectors, dealers and decorators.

To find out more please visit www.christies.com/thecollector