The name Rothschild is one that commands the attention of art connoisseurs, given the banking family's renowned art collections, which they curated on both sides of the Atlantic during the 19th and 20th centuries. 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 conducted a series of four auctions, featuring approximately 590 art objects that had been part of the Rothschild collections for up to 150 years. The auctions included three live events and one online auction, which ended on 17 October. The Rothschild name, along with the diverse selection of paintings, furniture, ceramics, and more, drew interest from bidders in 40 different countries. Remarkably, 98% of the lots were successfully sold, resulting in a total of $62.6 million in sales, which also included a few records.
A total of three auction records were set in the 'Rothschild Masterpieces' auction on 11 October. 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 (£971,00). 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 (£352,570).
See also: 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 (£3.6 million). 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.
Shortly after a record had been established for 18th-century European chairs, another milestone was reached just two lots later when a pair of armchairs crafted by Louis Delanois for Madame du Barry around 1770-71, intended for her château in Louveciennes, went up for auction. Initially estimated to sell for $600,000 to $1 million, the chairs fetched $6.2 million (£5.1 million). This sale also ranks as the second-highest price ever achieved for European chairs overall.
See also: 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.
In September 1771, she hosted a lavish party at the Pavillon de Musique, where the infatuated king, who never attended parties, also participated.
See also: 5 Facts About Royal Mistress Madame du Barry
After the death of Louis XV in 1774, Madame du Barry had to leave her beloved castle for a while 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.
Want more auction news like this straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
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.
For more news from the auction market, check out Barnebys Magazine!
