"It will provide a fascinating insight into a past era of collecting in France; the sale will be the crowning glory of the auction season in Fall 2005."

Charles Cator, International Director of Furniture at Christie's said: "For anyone passionate about French 18th century decorative arts, this collection is a treasure-trove beyond comparison—a jewel chest of delights. The objects transport one back to the world of the late 19th and early 20th century, when Paris provided the stage for Nathan Wildenstein, Sir Richard Wallace, Calouste Gulbenkian and Comte Moïse de Camondo, a time when themarket was dominated by such great art collectors."

The remarkable ensemble is largely the creation of one man—Nathan Wildenstein (1851-1934). Hugely influential in the history of taste in the early 20th century, Nathan Wildenstein was the founder of the Wildenstein dynasty, which to this day represents more than a century of tradition, expertise and connoisseurship. This collection of French decorative arts was assembled with the same eye and understanding that launched the family as arguably the most influential art dealers of the 20th century.

From humble beginnings, Nathan's brilliant and incisive mind seized the opportunities unfolding at the turn of the 20th century. Based in Paris, and from 1905 at Hôtel de Wailly, 57, rue de la Boétie, Nathan swiftly expanded his operation to embrace both New York in 1902 and subsequently, London. The Wildenstein Collection essentially contributed to the creation of the sumptuous settings in which Nathan could best display and offer the Wildenstein paintings and sculpture. His wealthy clientele could feel at ease and envision how their interiors could benefit from the acquisition of the works they had come to view. The residence became the epicentre of the art trade. Nathan's wife, Laure Lévy, was closely involved in all aspects of the business as the private and the professional merged for the Wildensteins. Family history relates that she served the most wonderful tea every afternoon in the galleries to whoever was visiting, whether for business or pleasure.

While the majority of the Wildenstein Collection of furniture remained in Paris, some was transported to their other premises. Some major pieces went to New York to decorate the legendary gallery on East 64th Street—designed by Horace Trumbauer in 1931—where the headquarters of the business remain to this day.

Sale 7171, Lot 15
Attributed to
Andre-Charles Boulle
A Louis XIV ormolu-mounted and Boulle brass-inlaid brown tortoiseshell bureau plat, c. 1710
31 3/4 in. (80.5 cm.) high;
80 1/2 in. (204 cm.) wide;
41 1/4 in. (105 cm.) deep
Estimate: £1,500,000-3,000,000