The Opulent Eye - 19th Century Furniture, Sculpture & Works of Art

The Opulent Eye presents important furniture, sculpture and works of art from the 19th century. The sale reflects the eclectic and opulent styles of the period from the regal grandeur of Napoleon’s Empire to the Art Nouveau of Belle époque Paris. The auction features a 22 lot collection, ‘The Property of a Lady from a Noble Italian Palazzo’, of ornate Italian neo-rococo furniture (Lots 67-89). Highlights include an exceptional French gilt-bronze mirror designed by the sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier Belleuse and made by the bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne (Lot 10); a rediscovered ‘art-case’ piano by François Linke (Lot 222); a monumental Napoleon III commode celebrating Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, attributed to the Grohé Frères (Lot 115); Joséphine Baker’s piano & bed from the Château des Milandes (Lots 50 & 51).