The Exceptional Sale

Sale Overview

Celebrating the French spirit and the art of living, this new edition of The Exceptional Sale brings together some of the finest masterpieces of European decorative arts. Royal commissions, creations from the most prestigious manufactories, Gobelins tapestries, Sèvres porcelain and hardstone works stand as enduring testimonies to the refinement and exceptional craftsmanship of French workshops.

The sale pays tribute to the great masters of eighteenth-century cabinetmaking through important works by Joseph, Rübestück and Weisweiler, while also highlighting iconic nineteenth-century creations, from Baccarat to Sarah Bernhardt. Extending further into the worlds of fashion and the decorative arts, it offers an exceptional panorama of French artistic excellence across the centuries.

Auction times

03 Nov 04:00 PM (CET) Lots 1-60

Our specialist’s selection

Brought to you by

Hippolyte de la Féronnière

Head of European Furniture Department | European Furniture & Works of Art

After studies in law and history of art, Hippolyte de la Féronnière became head of sales in European Furniture and Works of Art at Drouot. On the strength of his seven years of experience in the art market he joined the Furniture department at Christies Paris in 2012.

Within the department, he has contributed to the sales of several exceptional collections, including that of Hélène Rochas (2012), Jean Louis Rémilleux at the Château de Digoine (2015), Boniface de Castellane - Anna Gould (2017), Alberto Pinto (2017) and the collection Juan de Beistegui (2018). His knowledge and expertise led to the discovery of a rare 18th century mirror in golden bronze whose value was previously unrecognised. After realising necessary research, Féronnière coordinated its sale at Christies, attaining 350 000 € for the owners. A further important discovery includes a desk of Jean-Henri Riesener from a French private collection, commissioned by the royal furniture store and acquired by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. This piece of furniture will be reinstalled in its original place at Concorde in Paris.

Amjad Rauf

International Head of Masterpiece and Private Sales | English Furniture & Works of Art

As International Head, Masterpiece and Private Sales, and Head of the London annual Exceptional Sale, Amjad Rauf’s main focus is Decorative Arts Masterpieces, notably for sales in London, Paris and New York. Based in London, Amjad works closely with his Decorative Arts colleagues globally, as well as other Christie’s representatives, collaborating with them on matters of client relations, sourcing, valuations, curating and expertise. Responsible for Decorative Arts Private sales since 2014, Amjad staged the exhibition “Empire, curated by Hubert de Givenchy” in 2014, and “Expanding Horizons”, in 2021, focusing on the relation between Asian Contemporary Art and Classical Decorative Arts. One of the most international members of Christie’s Decorative Arts team, Amjad is fluent in English, Dutch, German and French. He joined the department in London in 1995, and has since, in various capacities, worked on the sales of European Decorative Arts as well as key European and US Collections, such as the sale of the late Dr Anton Dreesmann in 2002 (£22,4 Million); The Champalimaud and Wildenstein Collections in 2005 (£39 Million and £21,9 Million), Taste of the Royal Court in 2016 (£ 6,7 Million) and the Eric Albada Jelgersma Collection in 2018 (£ 22 Million). A highly memorable moment in his career was the sale of the Badminton cabinet in 2004 (£19 Million), the most expensive piece of furniture ever sold at auction.