Rothschild is a name that makes art connoisseurs sit up and take notice, as the banking family is known for the incredible art collections they amassed on both sides of the Atlantic in the 19th and 20th centuries that are second to none. With paintings, antiques and decorative art, the lavish "Goût Rothschild" style was created in the family's various residences.
Last week, Christie's New York auctioned around 590 art objects that had been part of the Rothschild collections for up to 150 years in three live auctions and an online auction that ended on October 17. The Rothschild name and the diverse offering of paintings, furniture, ceramics and more attracted bidders from 40 countries, who bought 98% of the lots. A total of $62.6 million was achieved, including a few records.
A total of three auction records were set in the "Rothschild Masterpieces" auction on October 11. The first was for a polychrome stoneware plate painted with a coat of arms pattern, which was made in Valencia around 1456-61 and achieved a new record in the field of Spanish-Moorish ceramics at $1.03 million (estimate: $200,000-300,000). Just three lots later, a new record followed for the French ceramist Bernard Palissy when an oval display plate made by himself or his Paris workshop around 1565-70 changed hands for $428,400 (estimate $30,000-50,000).
Related: Bernard Palissy's Ceramics: Nature on the Plate
Then a new record for 18th century European chairs was set when a pair of armchairs by the Parisian cabinetmaker Louis Delanois from 1770 sold for $4.4 million (estimate: $500,000-800,000). Delanois created furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles for the royal family. Madame du Barry, the last mistress of King Louis XV, was one of his clients.
The record that had just been set for 18th century European chairs was broken when, two lots later, another pair of armchairs by Louis Delanois came up for sale, which were made for Madame du Barry around 1770-71 for her château in Louveciennes. With an estimated price of $600,000-1 million, the pair of chairs were ultimately auctioned for $6.2 million. This is also the second highest price ever achieved for European chairs overall.
Related: The Story of "Dragons:" The World's Priciest Chair
Madame du Barry, who was born Jeanne Bécu in 1743, came from a humble background and married the Comte du Barry in 1768. She received the Château de Louveciennes as a gift from Louis XV in 1769 shortly after she became his official mistress. Madame du Barry furnished her new property with taste and also had the Pavillon de Musique, a true pearl of early classicism, built in the park. She organized a lavish party there in September 1771, in which the infatuated king, who never attended parties, also participated.
Related: Royal Mistress Madame du Barry: 5 Facts to Know
After the death of Louis XV in 1774, Madame du Barry had to leave her beloved castle for awhile until she was allowed to return after two years. Louveciennes remained her home until she was arrested in 1793 during the French Revolution and executed shortly afterwards.
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The pair of armchairs auctioned at Christie's came into the possession of the French branch of the Rothschild family in the 19th century. During the occupation of France in World War II, the pair was confiscated by the Nazis and taken to Neuschwanstein Castle, where the chairs were discovered by the Monuments Men and returned to the Rothschilds. Further works of art from the Rothschild collection will be auctioned in several auctions at Christie's Paris in November.
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