While the world of auctions slows down, French auction hoouse Artcurial is already responding to the call of collectors and announcing a programme that meets its ambitions for this new year. The famous Hôtel Hermitage, in the heart of Monte-Carlo, will be host to four auctions from 17 to 21 January. Featuring handbags, jewellery and watches, the auctions boast hundreds of treasures.
Hermès & Luxury Bags: Tuesday 19 January
Artcurial was the first auction house to offer Hermès accessories at auction, and today maintains a relationship of trust with the brand which, more than any other, embodies French luxury. As the specialist of the Fashion & Accessories department, Alice Léger, confides, “Hermès bags are the only ones worth more for resale than in stores. They are the subject of very strong speculation." The incomparable quality of Hermès bags legitimises their constantly rising prices and makes this segment one of the busiest on the auction market.
The auction, which will take place on 19 January, will mark the start of the Monegasque auction week and will consist of around sixty lots from Hermès, as well as beautiful models from the Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel brands. Among the essentials are the 24/24 or the mini Roulis, a Birkin Tressage 30 and a Birkin Shadow 35 (limited editions), a fur Capucine bag or an adorable Mini Kelly Sellier.
Léger, who is enthusiastic about the large choice of colours, materials and parts in the catalogue, says “the Birkin and Kelly models are from 20 to 90 years old... They cross generations. There is this notion of transmission which characterises them almost exclusively. This is the strength of this house."
Collectors' watches: Tuesday 19 January
It is with the expression 'less is more' that the experts of the watchmaking department imagined the exceptional session dedicated to collector's watches. Around fifty lots will be presented on 19 January, including an extremely rare Patek Philippe kept in the same family since 1945 and put on the market for the first time.
According to Marie Sanna-Legrand, director of the Watchmaking Department, “There is a lightness in watch collectors that I do not observe elsewhere. They are passionate and never shy away from their pleasure in talking for hours about a mechanism or the smallest detail." It is perhaps this unwavering passion that sustains the success of the watch market, especially in 2020.
Fans will also be able to find other treasures such as a Daytona 'Paul Newman' and two exceptional Rolex Comex still unseen on the market.
Jewellery: Wednesday 20 January
Jewellery will be in the spotlight with more than 330 wonders from all eras, ranging from Art Deco to the 1980s, including an incredible collection of 100 jewels belonging to the same owner. Preciously preserved for a lifetime, the elegant set, which the auction house will offer under the title 'Property of a Lady', consists of bracelets, necklaces and rings gifted to a wife by her husband in love for more than forty years of marriage. "The prestige is doubled this time by a real emotional charge: I have here a hundred pieces which sum up a life of passion," confided Julie Valade, director of the jewellery department, in a press release. The Cartier, Tiffany, Garrard and Asprey brands will be particularly well represented.
This season will be deeply marked by the irresistible 'Property of a Lady' collection, which includes a meticulously curated selection of highly original and elegant Cartier jewellery and watches.
The two auctions, scheduled for 20 January, will feature creations from Marina B, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, Boucheron, as well as diamonds and a 29-carat stone. Artist-designed jewellery, miniature works of art that enchant collectors, will complete the selection with creators such as Claude Lalanne, César and Boivin.
Women's Watches: Thursday 21 January
'Le Temps est Féminin' (Time is Feminine), Artcurial's watch sale for women, will return for a 7th edition on 21 January and will close their ambitious series of sales. Among the 80 lots in the selection are Cartier models, jewellery watches, gem-settings, old pieces and vintage designs.
