FEATURES ARCHIVE

In light of an extraordinary array of works of art, furniture and decorative objects appearing in this season’s Interiors sale, eight specialists from across Christie’s Paris departments select an item from an area that is new to them and explain why they would most like to own it.

HÉLÈNE RIHAL
Old Master Drawings Specialist Hélène Rihal tells why she would love to have this Pony Chair as a piece in her home (Lot 349)
“I like the fact that this original Asko edition of the ‘Pony’ chair created in the 1970s by Finnish pop-designer Eero Aarnio looks like a giant toy. Its ergonomic nature and quirky, zoomorphic exterior means it can appeal to adults and children alike. The designer is well-known for his colourful, plastic creations such as the ‘Ball’, the ‘Pastil’ and the ‘Bubble’ chairs from the 1960s and this chair retains the same playful appeal. In-keeping with Aarnio’s philosophy that: “A chair is a chair, is a chair…but a seat does not necessarily have to be a chair”, this iconic piece has the dual attraction of being both functional and decorative.”

MARINE BANCILHON
Impressionist and Modern Head of Sale Marine Bancilhon sinks her teeth into the history of this Vampire Killing Kit (Lot 490)
“This Vampire Killing Kit is an exceptionally unusual and rare set, with only a few examples surviving to the present day. It was only recently discovered, having been stored in an attic in the South of France for many decades. Although it is classified as a piece of furniture, the humour of this work means one might also regard it as a piece of contemporary art. It is made of pinewood and originates from the late 19th century, when legends about vampires were widely believed. The current film trend for vampires makes this piece incredibly relevant and sought-after.”

MARINE DE CENIVAL
Senior Silver Specialist Marine de Cenival decodes the beauty in this abstract work by Contemporary artist, Paul Jenkins (Lot 160)
“The colour used in this 1970s Paul Jenkins work is what really attracts me. Inspired by Georges de La Tour and William Turner, the artist was known to say that colour is a way to capture light. This is particularly visible in this work, where colour literally crosses the canvas as a flash of lightning. The painting was part of the Lefebvre-Foinet collection, the well-known Parisian art suppliers whose Left Bank shop furnished artists, including Jenkins, with brushes, canvases, and paper, and their famous tubes of colours and paints made from hand-ground natural pigments. The prestigious provenance of the painting makes it a rare and very valuable piece of work.”

ELODIE MOREL
Contemporary Art Specialist Elodie Morel picks out the detailing in this exquisite silver cup (Lot 419)
“I am very intrigued by this 20th century silver mounted nautilus cup. It is very beautiful, and a decorative item very in-keeping with current trends. The style of using marine-inspired or nautilus embellishment and decoration was also very popular in the 17th century; it is something for people to house in their “cabinet de curiosités”, to serve as an interesting talking point.”

LOUIS-XAVIER JOSEPH
Furniture Specialist Louis-Xavier Joseph highlights the craftsmanship of this 19th century Italian dumb-waiter (Lot 360)
“This characterful piece would be a wonderful addition to my dinner set bringing an early 19th century antique-feel, typical of Del Vecchio porcelain. Del Vecchio wares displaying this pattern are quite rare compared with the similar pieces from the Giustiniani manufacture, as its production lasted only a few decades from the late 18th century to mid-19th century and was much more dedicated to porcelain production.”

EMMANUELLE KARSENTI
20th Century Decorative Arts and Design Specialist Emmanuelle Karsenti explains why she would love to have this Marcel Dyf work hanging on her wall (Lot 66)
“Of any artist whose work I could own, Marcel Dyf is one of my favourites. He is renowned for being the painter of Provence in the South of France, and this work is emblematic of his best production. Painted near Aix-en-Provence, I am told the current owner bought the work directly from the artist as they knew one another and it has stayed with the owner’s family in Provence since its execution. The provenance of the painting coupled with the beauty of the subject makes this a highly coveted work within the Impressionist and Modern category.”