19TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU CHENETS
19TH CENTURY
Each modelled as a putto holding drapery standing on the back of a panther, on a shaped base with scrolled feet
17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm.) high; 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm.) wide; 7 in. (17 cm.) deep

Provenance

Marie Juliette Elizabeth Amélie, known as May Ephrussi (1880-1964), later Princess of Faucigny-Lucinge, at Hôtel de Breteuil, 12 avenue Foch, now the Irish Embassy.
‌The collection of the Princess of X; sold Galerie Charpentier, Paris, Me Maurice Rheims, 12 June 1953, lot 6, illustrated pl. IV.

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Charlotte Young Associate Director, Specialist

cyoung@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2730

Lot Essay

‌
‌MAY EPHRUSSI, PRINCESS DE FAUCIGNY-LUCINGE
Marie Juliette Elizabeth Amélie Ephrussi (1880-1964), known as May, was the daughter of Michel Ephrussi (1845-1914) and lived with her parents at Hôtel Ephrussi, 81 rue de Monceau. Michel, together with his brother Maurice founded the Paris branch of the family bank Ephrussi & Co. The extensive family, in particular May's cousin, Charles Ephrussi (1849-1905), was highly regarded for their patronage and connoisseurship of the arts.
‌In 1901 May Ephrussi married Prince Ferdinand de Faucigny-Lucinge (1868-1928). In 1937 they moved to Hôtel de Breteuil, 12 avenue Foch, which they later sold to the Irish State; the building remains as the Irish Embassy today. May shared her father's passion for horseracing and was the first female owner of a thoroughbred stables in France in 1933.
‌

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