It is fascinating to note that the first historical owner of the original painting was none other than Lucien Bonaparte, the Emperor’s brother and a great patron of the arts, which testifies to the immense prestige of this work from its creation.
This magnificent portrait of a lady of quality dates from the 18th century. A young woman is dressed in a sumptuous azure gown enhanced by a wide gold cloak, while sporting a Fontange hairstyle, very fashionable at court.
Folding armchair with a faux bamboo wooden frame, set on an X-shaped base. The seat and backrest are in stretched black leather, held in place by side straps.
20th century
The piece is a delightful example of the taste for Orientalism and fine furniture during the Second Empire.
France
19th Century
A similar piece is featured as a major reference in Marshall P. Katz’s book, “Portuguese Palissy Ware: A Survey of Ceramics from Caldas da Rainha 1853-1920,” on pages 44 and 57.
Portugal
Circa 1880
The bronze depicts a greyhound in a dynamic pose with its front paw raised. It rests on a naturalistic base adorned with flowers. The object features a spring-loaded hinge that allows it to hold letters or a short note. A rare and refined piece bearing the signature of one of the greatest Parisian bronze casters of the 19th century.
Napoleon III
A pair of porcelain parrot lamps by Wong Lee. These depict parrots in light colours, perched on a tree trunk and holding a gilded bronze scroll in their beaks. The lamps are mounted on gilded bronze bases. The lamps are fitted with new lined silk lampshades in a powder pink colour, adorned with Declercq trimmings.
Set of four elegant Medici vases
19th century
This large, fully sculpted earthenware fish tureen is a remarkable collector’s item produced by the Antonibon factory in Nove, Italy, between 1722 and 1825. The piece features a realistically sculpted body, with a lid adorned with a delicate handle in the shape of a lemon and its foliage. The ensemble rests on an oval dish with a scalloped, gilded rim featuring a naturalistic decoration of bouquets of wild flowers.
A model identical to this piece is listed in the collections of the Ariana Museum in Geneva under inventory number AR 02940
Italy, XIX century
