Paris – An exceptional late 18th century regulator clock signed "Berthoud à Paris" was the top lot of the Barbet sale offered today at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr (Thursday 14 November 2024). This remarkable pendulum, which was a very rare example of Berthoud's own form of compensated pendulum, sold for €165,500. This was followed by a French monumental ormolu and mirrored circular surtout-de-table, attributed to the workshop of Pierre-Philippe Thomire, first half 19th century sold for €95,650.

The sale of the collection made a total of €907,526. 72% of the pieces found new owners.

Charlotte Roelofsen, Bonhams representative in the Netherlands commented, "This exceptional private collection from a Dutch connoisseur represented the very best of Dutch and French Fine and Decorative Works of Art. Diligently assembled over 25 years. We were confident that this would be a strong sale, but it exceeded our expectations. Thanks to some very competitive bidding, most lots sold for many times their presale estimates."

Also included in the collection was a presumed portrait of Comte de Beaujolais and Scipion attributed to Jean Antoine Théodore Giroust (1753-1817) which sold for €127,400. Scipion was raised at the Palais-Royal with the Orléans children and was a cherished member of the family, depicted adoringly in portraits such as the present one as well as in a 1774 painting by Lépicié. Dolce Farniente by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, OM, RA (1836-1912) sold for €35,840 and is close to an oil painting of the same subject commissioned by the renowned French actor Benoit Constant Coquelin. Executed in 1882, the artist probably started work on the present painting after the oil, even though it was finished five days earlier.

The collection also included interesting pieces of faience (a type of earthenware) made in Arnhem, considered amongst the rarest in Dutch faience or Delftware. A rare pair of Dutch Delft equestrian groups, second quarter of the 18th century, showing each a gentleman wearing a dark tricorne sold for €23,040. Another pair slightly later in date, is in the collection of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, The Lavino Collection. A very large Dutch Delftware covered vase, circa 1740, sold for €20,480.

Highlights of the sale included:

• A Japanese export lacquer cabinet, Edo period (1615-1868), second quarter of the 17th century, the stand of Régence style sold for €35,840.
• An Empire six-branch eighteen light ormolu chandelier, first quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre Philippe Thomire sold for €32,000
• A large blue and white baluster jar and cover, Kangxi period (1662-1722), sold for €24,320