TWO FRENCH GILT-TOOLED RED MOROCCO LEATHER DESPATCH CASES

These lots have been imported from outside the EU … Read more

Property from the descendants of Daniel Grand d’Hauteville (1761-181) From Château d’Hauteville, Vevey, Switzerland Situated amidst vineyards and roses on a bucolic plateau extending between Saint-Légier and Vevey, the Château d’Hauteville occupies one of the most breathtaking locations in Switzerland, with an uninterrupted panoramic view of Lake Geneva leading on to the French Alps. In Roman times, this particular site above Vevey was commonly known as Altavilla due to the presence of a Roman Villa, and in the middle ages the territory of Hauteville was part of the reign of Blonay. After being passed through members of the aristocratic de Blonay family for several centuries, the Augsburg patrician Jacques-Philippe d’Herwarth acquired the local barony of Saint-Légier and la Chiésaz, as well as the ownership of Hauteville, around 1734. Pierre-Philippe Cannac acquired the estate in 1760, at which point the Château gradually transformed into its present form. Pierre-Philippe Cannac (1705-1785), was the son of the Huguenot banker Philippe Cannac (1672-1750), who left his native France for Switzerland after the Edict of Nantes. Born in Vevey, Pierre-Philippe succeeded his father as head of the family bank in Lyon. When Cannac acquired the Seigneurie de Saint-Légier et Chiésaz in 1760, he was created a baron of the Holy Roman Empire by the Emperor Joseph II in 1768. Cannac was very ambitious and, having amassed a considerable fortune, decided to modernize, enlarge and embellish the Château d’Hauteville which previously consisted only of a large square tower and a small mansion. A young architect from Lyon, Donat Cochet, was employed to complete the work in the French manner and with Italian influence. The overwhelming and distinctive 18th century Italianate frescoes of the Grand Salon depict the Triumph of Venus, the roman emperor Cincinnatus and the Volscians and Brennus negotiating with the Roman senate and were painted by the Petrini brothers from Lugano. The frescoes were, and still remain, unique to the area and provided the Château d’Hauteville with the sense of grandeur Cannac was looking for. In the end, the extensive renovation of Hauteville cost Cannac so much (by repute 200,000 francs) that it almost ruined him, so much so that Cannac burned all of his account books in order to no longer think about the expense. Cannac died in 1785 at the age of 80 and the Château d’Hauteville was inherited by his son, and then shortly thereafter by his granddaughter Victoire and her husband Daniel Grand de la Chaise (1761–1818). Daniel Grand was himself a member of a prominent banking family and worked in Amsterdam with his uncle who was Banquier de la cour de France. His father, Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand (1726-1794) was an important financier in Paris and was ennobled by Louis XVI in 1781. His hôtel particulier at 118 rue Neuve-des-Capucines in Paris was known (by an inventory of 1798) to have incredibly fashionable interiors. Daniel Grand succeeded his uncle as treasurer of the French court at Amsterdam and banker to the court of Sweden in 1787. When he inherited the Château d’Hauteville in 1794 he subsequently took on the name of Grand d’Hauteville (which has been retained until today by the present generation). At the beginning of the 19th century, the Daniel Grand and Victoire undertook renovations to parts of the Château, which would incite the most glorious days of Château d’Hauteville. At this time, nothing was more glamorous than life in Hauteville, when the couple would frequently host distinguished guests at numerous balls, dinners and theatrical soirees. In 1808, the furnishings of his father’s Parisian residence on rue Neuve-des Capucines were transferred to the Château d’Hauteville where they have remained until the present day. The Château d’Hauteville has continued in the Grand d’Hauteville family for more than two centuries and has, during this time, passed through generations of passionate family members who, one after the other, have added life to the house and who have respected the heritage and great history of Hauteville. In 1932, Frederic-Sears Grand d’Hauteville privately published a book relating the story of the Château and its contents, which have changed very little over the past two hundred years. The descendants of Daniel Grand d’Hauteville have now decided to turn the page and offer for sale the Château d’Hauteville and its 27 hectares of property, hoping to find the successor who will begin the next chapter of the Château’s history. Property from the descendants of Daniel Grand d’Hauteville (1761-181) From Château d’Hauteville, Vevey, Switzerland

TWO FRENCH GILT-TOOLED RED MOROCCO LEATHER DESPATCH CASES

18TH CENTURY

Details

TWO FRENCH GILT-TOOLED RED MOROCCO LEATHER DESPATCH CASES
18TH CENTURY
One tooled with M.R LE C.EL GRAND D'HAUTEVILLE., the other with M. HENRY FIZEAUX / GRAND D'HAUTEVILLE / ARGENT COURANT and SALMON, RUE DAUPHINE A PARIS.; together with three red and green leather folios, 18th and 19th century, and a folding leather book decanter case containing two gilt-decorated liquor decanters and four small glasses, 20th century reusing old elements
The despatch cases and folios: 12 ¼ in. (31 cm.) wide, and smaller

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Carlijn Dammers

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

cdammers@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2482

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

More from European Noble & Private Collections Including Fine Tapestries Part I

View All