Treasures from the collection of Françoise and Guy Lambert — to be sold in support of the Château de Versailles

Françoise and Guy Lambert shared a passion for art, literature, travel and culture. ‘Guy was a bibliophile, with a particular interest in rare 18th-century books and bookbindings,’ says Etienne de Couville, a specialist in European Furniture and Works of Art at Christie’s in Paris, who adds that Guy bequeathed his library to the Château de Versailles. ‘Françoise shared her husband’s love of the 18th century, developing a lifelong interest in Versailles and its heritage.’

Over the course of their marriage, the couple assembled an eclectic collection of artworks and objects, ranging from antiquities, rare books and European paintings to French decorative arts and furniture from the Louis XV, Louis XVI and Directoire eras. Some of the great makers of the 18th century are represented in the collection, including Jean Gourdin, Georges Jacob, Claude Sené, Jean-François Leleu and Jean-Henri Riesener. There are also Old Master and modern paintings. ‘The collection is a reflection of their discerning eye and quintessentially Parisian taste,’ says de Couville.

Many of these works were thoughtfully displayed in the couple’s Haussmann-style apartment in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. ‘Its generous proportions, enhanced by finely crafted panelling and moulded decoration, provided the perfect setting for their collection,’ says de Couville. ‘Old Masters and modern paintings were juxtaposed with antiquities and classical furniture, creating a harmonious and deeply personal interior.’

Works from the Lambert collection are now being offered in the Paris edition of Christie’s Collections auction series, which runs online until 1 October 2026. The proceeds from the sale of the Lambert collection will benefit the Société des Amis de Versailles, a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation dedicated to the conservation, restoration and enrichment of the Château de Versailles and its estate. Since its founding in 1907, the society has funded some 150 restoration projects and more than 500 acquisitions. Over the past 10 years, it has contributed an average of €1.6 million a year in philanthropic support to the palace.

‘The couple had always been extremely discreet, and it was only following Mrs Lambert’s death in 2023 that Jérôme Plouseau, director of the Société des Amis de Versailles, was informed of the bequest through the family notary,’ explains de Couville. The society is the sole beneficiary of Mrs Lambert’s estate.

In accordance with Mrs Lambert’s wishes, the proceeds from sale of the collection are to be used exclusively for refurnishing the royal apartments at Versailles. ‘It is a great honour for Christie’s to be able to support the Château de Versailles and its ambitious refurnishing program through this auction,’ says de Couville. ‘The sale also presents a unique opportunity for our clients to support the institution and its ongoing projects through the purchase of lots from the collection.’

Among the highlights offered to benefit the society is La colline au soleil couchant, or Paysage de banlieue, a Pointillist landscape by the French painter, theorist and poet Jean Metzinger, which comes to market for the first time in nearly 50 years. Another is an elegant Greek bronze Apulo-Corinthian helmet (circa 525-475 B.C.), featuring M-shaped eyebrows in raised relief, a flaring neck-guard with central attachment loop, and perforations on either side of the helmet to secure the chin-strap, which originally would have been made of leather.

The furniture includes a Louis XVI ormolu-mounted mahogany console table by Jean-Henri Riesener; a pair of Louis XV giltwood armchairs with the stamp of Jean Gourdin; and a pair of Louis XV ormolu-mounted amaranth and satinwood commodes by Jean-Baptiste Tuart, dating from the mid-18th century.

The sale also features a notable group of 18th-century French silver, including a Louis XV teapot by Antoine Dutry, with fluted sides and a spout in the form of a duck’s head. ‘Teapots are relatively rare in Parisian silver,’ says de Couville. ‘The fluted design appears to have come from England, where tea enjoyed much greater popularity.’ Also offered from the Lambert collection is a coffee pot from 1759 by Joseph-Hippolyte Bis and a pair of Louis XV three-light candelabra from 1731, the candlesticks with the mark of Jean Mauzié and the branches with that of Jacques Quin.

Among the notable paintings coming to Christie’s are Nu blond détendu fond noir et rouge (1957) by Marcel Gromaire, Maurice Utrillo’s Un Moulin à Montmartre (circa 1919) and an 18th-century depiction of the Rialto Bridge in Venice attributed to Apollonio Facchinetti, also known as Domenichini or the Master of the Langmatt Foundation Views.

As for the decorative arts, highlights include a Directoire gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock, attributed to Louis-Simon Deverberie (circa 1799), and a Louis XV ormolu-mounted Chinese enamelled porcelain incense burner. There are also a pair of Louis XV gilt-bronze three-branch wall-lights dating from the mid-18th century and a 17th-century wool and silk tapestry, after a design by David II Teniers, probably by the Van der Borcht workshop.

The sale will also present 18th-century decorative arts from a European private collection, including furniture stamped by Jacques Dubois, Jean-Baptiste Vassou, Roger Vandercruse, known as Lacroix, and Etienne Levasseur. In addition, a group of 17th- and 18th-century Italian furniture, 17th-century Trapani works of art and a varied selection of decorative objects, including gold boxes, will round out this autumn’s Paris auction.

Collections: incluant la succession de Françoise Lambert, vendue au profit de la Société des Amis de Versailles is on view from 27 September to 1 October 2026 at Christie’s in Paris

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