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PROPERTY FROM 'LA CONVERSERIE'
A Hunting Lodge created by the Princess de Rethy
(LOTS 623-694)
Starting out as a hospice, La Converserie became part of the abbey of St. Hubert in the 12th century, a place for pilgrims to pray at the tomb of St. Hubert, at the supposed place of his conversion.
La Converserie was acquired by the Comte de Launoit in 1950, he consequently put it at the disposal of Lilian, Princess de Rethy, the flamboyant wife of King Leopold III. After the house was rebuilt Lilian set about decorating it on a grand scale. The overall theme was St Hubert, this can be found as a design on the deer skins supplied by Hermes, to the wall sconces placed throughout the house. The hunting theme dominated throughout the house, Lilian was able to put together this unique ensemble in two years, helped by Maison Jansen of Paris, and the Count and Countess Walderdorff, owners of the famous Hotel Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg. Built on a slope near the medievaval city of St Hubert, La Converserie boasts a vaulted hallway that winds its way around an impressive hall that would not be misplaced in a medieval castle. This hall with its ancient beams was a perfect setting for the renaissance tapestries, Gothic furniture and multitude of hunting trophees. Lilian was passionate about hunting and Interior decoration, at La Converserie she was able to combine these passions to great effect; creating an exemplary hunting center that was concerned with the regulation of hunting as well as a unique 'Relais de Chasse' dedicated to the miraculous Stag Saint-Hubert.
In 1957, at the time of the operation of her son Prince Alexandre, she decided to dedicate herself to the organization and management of the cardiology foundation she had established. From 1959, she gradually abandoned hunting and eventually La Converserie.
After the marriage of King Baudouin in 1959, King Leopold III and Princess Lilian were forced to leave the Royal Domain of Laeken. They moved with their children to the Royal Domain of Argenteuil to which she brought along some objects from the Converserie.
In memory of the Converserie and St. Hubert she brought a herd of Hungarian deer to her new domain, of which she took care until her death.
Baron and Baroness Coppée, the current owners of the Converserie, have pursued the dream of Princess Lilian for 25 years by maintaining the décor, by welcoming seminars and contributing to the development of the wonderful habitat of the royal hunting fields as well as the knowledge and awareness of the deer that inhabit it.
Today, they have decided to put this residence at the disposal of a Dutch institution in charge of young addicts who have become victims of the many illusions of our society and to offer to the public the objects that they preserved and loved for over 25 years.
A North European oak choir bench
16TH CENTURY
Details
A North European oak choir bench
16th century
Decorated with carved flower heads and trellis, with five compartments and hinged seats
120 cm. high x 363 cm. wide x 48 cm. deep
16th century
Decorated with carved flower heads and trellis, with five compartments and hinged seats
120 cm. high x 363 cm. wide x 48 cm. deep
Brought to you by
Nikky Zwitserlood
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