THE ULTIMATE OBJET CHRISTMAS WISHLIST 🎄
As snowflakes dance and champagne flutes clink, let us embark on a journey through the most exquisite treasures this holiday season has to offer. This is no ordinary wishlist—it's an ode to exceptional craftsmanship and timeless elegance, where each item tells a story of artistry and innovation.
In December, Christie's hosted two significant luxury auctions that captured my attention: 'L'Art Du Luxe: Masterpieces of French Furniture' and their luxury handbag edit, both concluding on December 11th. As an appraiser and curator, I was particularly intrigued to analyze both the standout successes and surprising underperformers, as these results provide crucial insights for decorative arts historians and luxury professionals.
The importance of tracking auction performance cannot be overstated. Strong results often establish new market benchmarks and can signal emerging trends, while underperforming pieces might indicate shifting tastes or market saturation. For artists and makers, exceptional auction results can elevate their market standing, though poor performance risks damaging future marketability. This data directly informs my work advising collectors, curating collections, and evaluating investment potential.
'L'Art Du Luxe' was particularly fascinating as it chronicled French luxury's evolution from Louis XIV's era through the Rococo and Neoclassical periods. The collection's narrative begins with the Sun King himself, whose vision transformed France into luxury's epicenter.
As Christie's Deputy Chairman William Strafford observed, 'Louis XIV consciously put France at the pinnacle of luxury craftsmanship, where it has sat ever since.' Under his reign, Versailles evolved from a modest hunting lodge into an unparalleled symbol of French sophistication.
The auction presented over 130 masterworks exemplifying French craftsmanship excellence: museum-quality furniture bearing witness to royal history, refined porcelain pieces showing clear Eastern influences, exceptional silver works of historical significance, and Rococo masterpieces whose flowing designs marked a dramatic departure from Baroque formality.
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED
HORN MUSICAL CARTEL A MUSIQUE
Makers:
ADRIEN DUBOIS
Circa: 1751
This spectacular cartel clock belongs to a select group of this eye-catching form executed in Boulle marquetry, red vernis and in this case, green-stained horn.
Estimate
USD 60,000 – USD 100,000
__________
Price realised
USD 88,200
ADRIEN DUBOIS
This skilled cabinet-maker, primarily known for his exceptional clock cases, remains something of an enigma despite his notable connections and works. He emerged from an impressive lineage of craftsmanship, being the nephew of Jacques Dubois, one of the most prominent ébénistes of the Louis XV period. Before earning his maîtrise (master craftsman status), he served as chef d'atelier to the renowned Bernard II Van Risenburgh (BVRB).
His documented works showcase the breadth of his talent: a régulateur housed in Paris's Musée des Arts Décoratifs (inventory number 15106), and a pair of console tables, commissioned by Louis-Antoine Crozat de Thiers, now in London's Victoria and Albert Museum (accession numbers 1021:1 to 3-1882). His expertise evidently extended to restoration work, as evidenced by his stamp on the celebrated Boulle bureau plat from the Ashburnham-Givenchy collections, which later appeared at Christie's Monaco auction on December 4, 1993, as lot 68.
AUSTRIAN ORMOLU AND ENAMEL WALL-LIGHTS
Makers: Viennese workshops, attributed to Christoph von Jünger's circle
Circa: 1760
Features: Backplates cast as budding leaves with two foliate branches, adorned with polychrome flowers
Estimate
USD 7,000 – USD 10,000
________
Price Realised
USD 10,080
Viennese Enamellers
Artisans based in Vienna, renowned for intricate enamel work in the 19th century
Produced highly detailed decorative pieces featuring painted court and landscape scenes
Known for distinctive pink-centric color palettes
Notable artisans included Hermann Ratzersdorfer and Hermann Bohm
Chinese Cabinets at Schönbrunn
Decorated in 1760 with precious chinoiseries
Commissioned by Maria Theresa, who favored oriental lacquer work
Features silk wall-hangings and porcelain from China and Japan
Includes both Oval and Round Cabinets with similar décor
Christoph von Jünger (1736-1777)
Austrian enamel painter
Led flourishing enamelling workshops with brother Johann from 1764-1780
Produced extensive range including jugs, coffee pots, and zarfs
Authorized by Austrian court as Hausmalerei (independent ceramic decorators)
ROYAL LOUIS XV SAVONNERIE CARPET
Makers: Royal Savonnerie Manufactory at Chaillot
Design attributed to Jean-Baptiste Chevillon
Circa: 1750-1760
Estimate
USD 400,000 – USD 600,000
It didn’t meet its reserve
Royal Savonnerie Manufactory
Established royal monopoly in 1627 for knotted-pile rugs
Peak creativity under Louis XIV, directed by Charles Le Brun
Most ambitious commission: 480-yard gallery at the Louvre
Pierre-Josse Perrot (1700-1750) was leading designer during Louis XV's reign
Jean-Baptiste Chevillon
Strongly influenced by Perrot
Designed carpets for garden apartments at Trianon
Notable works included Pavillon du Treillage and Pavillon du Jardin Français
Collaborated with painter Louis Tessier on floral designs
DUCHESSE
Makers: Unknown
Circa: 1725
Elegant tufted lounge chair with exposed wooden backrest
Fashionable under Louis XV
Used as a rest bed, especially by women
Estimate
USD 5,000 – USD 8,000
_
Didn’t meet its reserve so it didn’t sell
Variations
Duchesse brisée: Two-part deck chair with stung backrest (1745-1780)
Composed of bergère and long tabouret
Three-part version with stool between two shepherdesses
LOUIS XVI SECRETAIRE À ABATTANT
Maker: Charles Topino
Circa: 1775
Charles Topino
French, Paris (1742-1803)
Master's degree received July 4, 1773
Specialized in light furniture in Transition/Louis XVI style
Known for distinctive marquetry work
Secretaire à Abattant
Office furniture for writing correspondence and document storage
- Three distinct parts:
Top drawer under marble plate
Writing flap with bronze/marquetry
Lower flaps with matching decoration
This remarkable secrétaire, adorned with panels repurposed from a Coromandel screen, represents a rare fusion of Louis XVI Parisian furniture design and Chinese Coromandel lacquer. The lacquer originated from China's Henan Province, making its way to Europe via India's Coromandel Coast. While present in French markets since the early 1700s, these imports remained limited.
The scarcity of French furniture incorporating Coromandel lacquer largely stems from the material's delicate nature. This piece's provenance adds to its significance and value, having belonged to Mary Say (1857-1943), the French socialite and heiress to the Say sugar empire. She later became known as the princesse Amédée de Broglie following her 1875 marriage to Henri Amédée de Broglie, prince de Broglie.
Estimate
USD 60,000 – USD 100,000
___________
Price realised
(AOP)USD 327,600
LATE LOUIS XV COMMODE
Maker: Claude-Charles Saunier
Circa: 1765
Almost certainly supplied to Louise-Jeanne de Durfort, duchesse de Mazarin (1735-1781) for her bedroom in the château de Chilly-Mazarin, and subsequently described in the catalogue drawn up after her death in 1781
Japanese Lacquer
Used in Japan since 7000 BCE
Features maki-e decoration technique
Characterized by metal powder sprinkled on lacquer
Claude-Charles Saunier
Became maître ébéniste in 1765
Represented Louis XVI style
Work classified as national treasure in 2006
Estimate
USD 300,000 – USD 500,000
_______
Price realised
(AOP) USD 819,000
LOUIS XVI GILT WALNUT FAUTEUILS
Maker: Nicolas Delaisement
Circa: 1780
Estimate
USD 200,000 – USD 300,000
________
Price realised
USD 226,800
Nicolas Delaisement
French master joiner in seats
Received maîtrise in 1776
Work exclusively influenced by Neoclassicism
Active during Louis XVI's reign
A GERMAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED
ACAJOU MOUCHETE COMMODE
Maker: David Roentgen
Circa: 1785
Estimate
USD 150,000 – USD 250,000
_______
Price realised
USD 126,000
David Roentgen
Called "most celebrated ébéniste in Europe"
Appointed as Marie-Antoinette's cabinetmaker in 1780
Known for elaborate marquetry and mechanical devices
Acajou Mouchete
French term for the spotted mahogany (acajou); the usual English term is fiddle-back mahogany.
Late Louis XV Arita Porcelain Vases
Makers:
Porcelain: Arita workshops, Japan
Mounts: Unknown French bronzier
Circa:
Porcelain: 1700-1725
Mounts: 1765
Estimate
USD 400,000 – USD 600,000
________
Price realised
USD 252,000
Japanese Arita Porcelain
Also known as Imari ware or Hizen ware
Made in Arita, northwestern Kyūshū
Features Imari palette: blue underglaze with red and gold overglaze
LOUIS XVI SIDE TABLE
Maker: Adam Weisweiler (supplied by Dominique Daguerre)
Circa: 1785-1790
Estimate
USD 200,000 – USD 400,000
_______
Price realised
USD 352,800
Adam Weisweiler
German-born master cabinetmaker
Became maître-ébéniste in 1778
Specialized in Neoclassical style with plain veneers
Known for using lacquer, pietre dure, and Sèvres porcelain panels
Dominique Daguerre
Prominent marchand-mercier (luxury middleman)
Supplied to elite clientele including:
Queen Marie-Antoinette
King of Naples
England's Prince Regent (later George IV)
For those who seek modern expressions of luxury, Christie's "Handbags Online: The New York Edit" presented an irresistible collection of leather-bound dreams. This carefully curated selection features:
Vibrant classics reimagined in bold, contemporary hues
Intricately embroidered pieces that serve as wearable art
Diamond-adorned accessories that blur the line between handbag and jewelry
These handbag auctions present an opportunity for collectors to acquire limited edition pieces and rare finds from the most prestigious maisons—Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and many more!
HERMÈS:2023
A RARE ALLIGATOR FAUBOURG SELLIER BIRKIN 20 WITH PALLADIUM HARDWARE
The Faubourg Birkin, often called the "house" bag, stands among the most sought-after Hermès Birkin editions at Christie's auctions. This Limited Edition Sellier Birkin pays homage to Hermès' iconic flagship store at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, with the first models debuting in 2019.
This architectural masterpiece reimagines the boutique's daytime façade through exceptional leatherwork and artistic vision. The design brilliantly marries Hermès' heritage with contemporary aesthetics, featuring meticulously crafted details like windows and awnings made from a combination of exotic skins and fine calf leather. As a nod to the brand's signature packaging, the bag's clochette comes in the classic Hermès orange. They typically do very well at auction.
Since 2020, Christie's has sold just 60 Faubourg Birkins, underlining their rarity. Whether in its original form or newer variations like the Neige or Minuit editions, the Faubourg Birkin maintains its status as one of the most prestigious collector's pieces in the luxury handbag market.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Estimate
USD 100,000 - USD 150,000
__________
Price Realised
USD 138,600
QUILTED CC IN LOVE HEART BAGS
WITH LIGHT GOLD HARDWARE
PINK:
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
_________
Price Realised
USD 3,528
BLUE:
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
_____________
Price Realised
USD 4,788
DIOR :2018
A LIMITED EDITION MULTICOLOR BEAD EMBROIDERED SADDLE BAG WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
__________
Price Realised
(AUP)USD 2,520
LOUIS VUITTON:FALL/WINTER 2022
A RARE, RUNWAY LEATHER TULIP KEEPALL BANDOULIÉRE 50 BY VIRGIL ABLOH
I have always loooooovvvveeeed this bag, probably my favorite item created by Virgil Abloh(RIP)
Estimate
USD 20,000 - USD 30,000
__
It didnt sell because the reserve wasnt met.
CHANEL:FALL 2018
A PINK & BLACK TWEED BRAIDED EDGE MEDIUM FLAP BAG WITH ANTIQUED GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
________
Price Realised
USD 4,410
_
No reserve
LOUIS VUITTON:2017
A LIMITED EDITION RED & WHITE MONOGRAM COURRIER 90 TRUNK WITH SILVER HARDWARE BY SUPREME
The supreme and louis Vuitton collaborations always do really well at auction because the 2017 Supreme x Louis Vuitton collaboration was a watershed moment in fashion history. While critics dismissed it as a mere money-making venture, the collection achieved significant commercial success. The collaboration's crown jewel, the Supreme x Louis Vuitton Malle Courrier 90 Trunk, initially commanded an astounding $150,000 USD on the resale market, as reported by Hypebeast that year.
The trunk's value trajectory tells an interesting story. By 2022, Hypebeast reported that the once-coveted piece had depreciated significantly, with resale prices dropping to $90,000 USD. This downward trend continued into 2024, when Christie's luxury handbag auction estimated its value between $40,000 - $50,000 USD—a dramatic decline from its April 2022 estimate of $80,000 - $100,000 USD. The piece ultimately realized $63,000 USD at the sale.
While these declining valuations might suggest waning interest in both this specific collaboration and the broader luxury-streetwear crossover trend, the market remains unpredictable. Earlier in 2024, the same trunk achieved EUR 88,200 at another auction, demonstrating that the market for such pieces remains complex and variable.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Estimate
USD 40,000 - USD 50,000
______________
Price Realised
USD 63,000
CHANEL: 2014
A BLACK MINI FLAP BAG WITH LIGHT GOLD & FAUX PEARL HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
___________
Price Realised
USD 4,410
_
No reserve
LOUIS VUITTON:2017
A LIMITED EDITION MANET MASTERS COLLECTION NEVERFULL MM WITH GOLD HARDWARE BY JEFF KOONS
Louis Vuitton's announcement of their Masters collection marked an exciting intersection of fine art and luxury leather goods. The "Masters LV X Koons" collaboration translated masterpieces from Western art history into wearable art, featuring iconic paintings across handbags, backpacks, scarves, and shawls.
This sophisticated tote showcases Manet's "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe" (Luncheon on the Grass), reimagined on canvas leather. The collection, drawing inspiration from Jeff Koons's "Gazing Ball" series, expanded upon the success of the first Masters collection, which had featured interpretations of works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Peter Paul Rubens, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, and Vincent van Gogh.
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
_______
Price Realised
USD 2,394
CHANEL:2019
A RED CAVIAR QUILTED
LEATHER NORTH SOUTH BOY BAG WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 2,000 - USD 3,000
_________
Price Realised
USD 4,032
A SHINY BLEU ÉLECTRIQUE POROSUS CROCODILE
KELLY CUT WITH GOLD HARDWARE
The Kelly Cut, introduced in 2008 as a successor to the discontinued Kelly Longue, represents a sleeker interpretation of the classic Kelly design. While younger than its 2004 sibling, the Kelly Pochette, this elegant clutch maintains the iconic Kelly closure while embracing a more streamlined silhouette.
At 31cm in length, the Kelly Cut strikes a perfect balance between form and function. Its distinctive features include a versatile top handle, slim profile for comfortable underarm carrying, and cleverly designed expandable sides that create unexpected interior capacity. These thoughtful elements make it an adaptable accessory that transitions seamlessly from day to evening wear.
Estimate
USD 15,000 - USD 20,000
__________
Price Realised
USD 22,680
CHANEL:CRUISE 2019
A RUNWAY RED & WHITE LAMBSKIN LEATHER LA PAUSA COCO LIFE SAVER BAG WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
________
Price Realised
USD 4,032
_
No reserve
CHANEL, 2015
A BLACK QUILTED LARGE JEWELRY TRUNK WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 8,000 - USD 10,000
___________
Price Realised
USD 11,970
HERMÈS:2017
LIMITED EDITION LEATHER & OSIER WICKER PICNIC
KELLYS 35 WITH PALLADIUM HARDWARE
The Picnic Kelly, which reimagines Hermès' iconic silhouette in woven wicker, has captivated collectors since its introduction. Emerging from the maison's 2011 theme "Hermès, Contemporary Artisan," this innovative interpretation marries traditional craftsmanship with natural materials. The bold reimagining of the classic Kelly bag has maintained its allure and desirability in the decade since its debut.
BROWN:
Estimate
USD 20,000 - USD 25,000
_______
Price Realised
USD 30,240
VERT:
Estimate
USD 32,000 - USD 40,000
________
Price Realised
USD 40,320
AUCTION OVER-PERFORMERS
In the dynamic world of luxury auctions, pieces that significantly exceed their high estimates offer fascinating insights into market trends, collector preferences, and shifting cultural values. These over-performers – lots that soared past their projected ceilings – deserve special attention as they often signal emerging collecting patterns or reveal previously undervalued aspects of certain works. Let's examine the standout pieces from this auction that captured collectors' imaginations and sparked competitive bidding wars, ultimately achieving prices that surpassed even the most optimistic predictions
A
BALTIC PARCEL-GILT
SILVER TANKARD
I have no idea why this sold for such a high amount , so im going to be doing some research.The cylindrical vessel features intricate chasing work throughout, with its main body depicting a crowned queen in a forest scene. She is flanked by two figures: an angel bearing a horn on one side and a female figure holding a laurel wreath and palm frond on the other. The cover showcases the Annunciation scene amidst flowing foliage, while its edges are adorned with detailed hunting scenes. The piece rests on three ball feet embellished with fruit and foliate motifs. A decorative scroll handle, also chased with fruit designs, culminates in a shield-shaped terminal and matching spherical thumb piece. The underside bears what appears to be the maker's mark "FMC," and the piece originates from Narva, dating to the final quarter of the 17th century.
Estimate
USD 8,000 – USD 12,000
_______
Price realised
USD 35,280
HERMÈS:2023
A GRIS CAILLOUS GRIZZLY SUEDE & ECRU MOUTON SHEARLING
MINI TEDDY KELLY 20 II WITH PALLADIUM HARDWARE
Among the most coveted pieces in the auction was the Limited Edition Hermès Kelly Teddy Shearling bag, a Jean Paul Gaultier creation from 2005. This exceptional piece represents the playful innovation Gaultier brought to the storied house. The design masterfully transforms the iconic Kelly silhouette into a whimsical winter accessory, combining luxurious sheepskin wool exterior with fine chèvre leather lining.
Produced in extremely limited quantities, this rare variant of the Kelly showcases meticulous craftsmanship in its careful marriage of suede and shearling, creating a sophisticated yet endearingly tactile interpretation of the classic design. Its scarcity in the market makes it particularly sought-after among serious Hermès collectors.
Estimate
USD 35,000 - USD 45,000
________
Price Realised
USD 60,480
A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU THREE-BRANCH CANDELABRA
These striking candelabra embody the goût grec movement, masterfully blending decorative elements from both Louis XIV's era and Classical antiquity. While their exact maker remains unconfirmed, they show strong evidence of being the work of Philippe Caffieri, following designs by Jean-Louis Prieur, and were created around 1765-1770.
The dating of these silver masterpieces aligns precisely with Prieur's most sophisticated work in the goût grec style, helping scholars place both this pair and their counterparts at the Wallace Collection within the same five-year period.
The exceptional rarity of this design is evidenced by the existence of only three known pairs:
This pair, which previously graced the Ortiz-Patiño Collection; another pair housed in the Wallace Collection (inventory numbers F128 and F129); and a third pair marked from the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, believed to have been commissioned for either Empress Elizabeth or Empress Catherine, now held in a private collection. This last pair shares a distinctive feature with the offered pieces: silver-soldered joints.
Estimate
USD 150,000 – USD 250,000
____________
Price realised
USD 378,000
CHANEL:2019
A RARE, PINK LUCITE & CRYSTAL SKI GONDOLA EVENING BAG WITH
SILVER HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 8,000 - USD 12,000
________
Price Realised
USD 37,800
LOUIS VUITTON:2023
A LIMITED EDITION YELLOW & BLACK MONOGRAM LEATHER PUMPKIN BAG WITH SILVER HARDWARE BY YAYOI KUSAMA
Yayoi Kusama's iconic pumpkin artworks, which began as a source of childhood comfort during her early years in rural Japan, served as the inspiration for this striking design. She started incorporating pumpkins into her artistic practice in the 1950s, transforming them from simple subjects into powerful motifs laden with personal and cultural meaning. At auction, this piece drastically exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000, achieving a price approximately ten times higher. This result set new auction records for both this specific model and Louis Vuitton bags overall, surpassing the previous benchmark of $44,100 set by another pumpkin bag at Christie's in December 2023.
Estimate
USD 10,000 - USD 15,000
___________
Price Realised
USD 40,320
A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU AND 'ACIER POLI' CONSOLES
CIRCA: 1765-1770
These remarkable console tables, crafted in luxurious polished steel and gilt-bronze with a bold goût à la grecque design, represent an important discovery. They join a select group of similar pieces produced around 1765, including the famous console created for King Augustus III of Poland.
In 18th-century France, the terms acier poli and fer poli were used almost interchangeably to describe polished steel - a notoriously challenging material to work with. The complexity of crafting with polished steel made such pieces extraordinarily expensive. These works pushed boundaries, representing serruriers (locksmiths) venturing beyond their traditional scope to create innovative large-scale furniture pieces.
These newly discovered consoles stand unique in their design among the small known collection of 18th-century polished steel furniture. While sharing the striking avant-garde Neoclassical aesthetic attributed to architect Victor Louis (1731-1800), they showcase distinct creative elements. This masterpiece likely emerged from a collaboration of period luminaries: Victor Louis and Jean Louis Prieur conceived the design, Pierre II Deumier executed the metalwork, and Pierre Gouthière created the gilt-bronze ornamentation.
Estimate
USD 200,000 – USD 300,000
___________
Price realised
USD 415,800
CONTINENTAL SCHOOL, 19TH CENTURY
These six paintings depict the opulent interiors of a palace in Mohileff. They are attributed to the Continental School, a broad classification used for European artworks created beyond British borders, typically when an artist's identity or specific regional style remains uncertain.
During the 19th century, Continental School artists were deeply influenced by academic traditions, particularly excelling in historical subjects and portraiture. Their work demonstrated technical precision and formal composition that epitomized the period's artistic standards.
Estimate
USD 5,000 – USD 8,000
____________
Price realised
USD 21,420
A DUC DE VILLEROY
PORCELAIN FIGURE OF A CHINESE BOY
CIRCA 1740,
This porcelain figure of a boy, marked with the blue D.V. signature, dates to approximately 1735-36 from the duc de Villeroy's manufactory. The production site was established by Barbin in the outbuildings of the Duke's château at Villeroy, during a time when the Duke served as both captain of the king's guard and Marshal of France.
Few pieces can be definitively attributed to this early Villeroy workshop, as opposed to Barbin's later, larger manufactory established at Mennecy in 1748 following the closure of the château operation. The pieces from the original Villeroy period are particularly significant for their historical value and rarity.
_
Estimate
USD 3,000 – USD 5,000
_______
Price realised
USD 20,160
A PAIR OF CHRISTOFLE SILVER-PLATE AND GLASS OIL LAMPS
This model was initially unveiled by Christofle at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. It features the Christofle mark, Paris, along with glass reserves from Baccarat, dating from around 1900.
Estimate
USD 5,000 – USD 8,000
_____
Price realised
USD 15,120
A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XV
GILTWOOD FAUTEUILS
CREATOR: MICHEL CRESSON
CIRCA: 1760
These fauteuils exemplify the rocaille symétrisé 'classicisant,' a refined Transitional style bridging Rococo and the goût grec. As suggested by its name, this style is a sophisticated and classicized interpretation of symmetrical Rococo, seamlessly merging perfectly symmetrical rocaille motifs with Classical elements of the goût grec.
The prominent shell motif serves as the central design feature, anchoring the symmetry of the seat.
This intricately carved high-relief shell motif is seen in the works of the finest craftsmen of the era. For instance, a pair of giltwood fauteuils by Nicolas Heurtaut featuring nearly identical shells was auctioned at Sotheby's in New York on October 20, 2018, for $125,000 (lot 1070).
The value of the Schnieder family collection further enhances this piece. The Schneiders were recognized collectors, and their collection included eighteenth-century French porcelain, bronzes, and other works. While I personally find these pieces to be truly hideous, someone was willing to pay $200,000 over its high estimate, illustrating the subjectivity of taste.
Estimate
USD 70,000 – USD 100,000
__________
Price realised
USD 352,800
HERMÈS:2020
A MATTE BÉTON POROSUS CROCODILE KELLY CUT WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 15,000 - USD 20,000
_______
Price Realised
USD 32,760
AUCTION UNDER-PERFORMERS
While record-breaking sales often capture the headlines, this section reveals a different story - the hidden opportunities that savvy collectors seized when exceptional pieces sold well below their expected values. These no-reserve lots, which performed significantly under their estimates, represent both notable market insights and remarkable acquisitions for their winning bidders. These items are not necessarily on my wishlist, but 1 0r 2 may crossover.
HERMÈS:2020
A VILLANDRY MEDOR CLOU WITH PALLADIUM HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
________
Price Realised
USD 1,512
No reserve
DIOR:2020
A BLACK CALFSKIN LEATHER FRINGE BOBBY BAG & BLUE OBLIQUE CANVAS GUITAR STRAP WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
___________
Price Realised
USD 1,512
A PAIR OF QUEEN ANNE
GILT-WALNUT STOOLS
Estimate
USD 10,000 – USD 15,000
________
Price realised
USD 6,300
CHANEL: SPRING/SUMMER 2019
A RUNWAY PINK AND WHITE CALFSKIN LEATHER COCO BEACH BALL BAG WITH GOLD HARDWARE
Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 4,000
___________
Price Realised
USD 1,764
A PAIR OF VINCENNES PORCELAIN 'BLEU LAPIS' BOTTLE COOLERS (SEAUX A BOUTEILLE 'ORDINAIRE')
Estimate
USD 12,000 – USD 18,000
_______
Price realised
USD 9,450
This holiday season, let us celebrate the intersection of historical grandeur and contemporary elegance. After all, true luxury isn't just about possession—it's about the appreciation of exceptional artistry and the stories as each piece carries through time.
