Lot 212. Nicolas de Largillière (Paris 1656-1746), La Belle Strasbourgeoise, huile sur toile, 131,5 x 105,5 cm. Estimate €600,000 - €1,000,000. Sold under the hammer of François Curiel for €1,570,000 establishing a new world auction record for the artist. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.

PARIS.- On 15 & 16 September 2020, Christie’s hosted the sale of Commandant Paul-Louis Weiller (1893-1993)'s collection which realised a total of €6,138,500/ £5,683,795 / $7,309,362. These exceptional results reflect the relevant choices “le Commandant” had made throughout his life with the most exquisite taste.

François Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s Europe : “Continuing Christie’s long history of offering prestigious collections at auction, we are honoured to have paid such a beautiful tribute to this important collection. Its celebrated provenance and the pristine quality of its works have attracted bidders from 29 countries across 5 continents, establishing once again Christie’s France’s leadership in selling collections with success”.

Connoisseurs and collectors were present to pay a beautiful tribute to an exceptional man. These great results demonstrate continued interest in high quality 18th century pieces such as the impressive silver soup tureen from the Orloff service which sold for €970,000 (lot 228) and the striking portrait of La Belle Strasbourgeoise which established a new world auction record for Nicolas de Largillière was sold to an Asian buyer over the phone €1,570,000 (lot 212). The furniture which was adorning Paul-Louis Weiller’s homes achieved strong prices, as illustrated by the Riesener royal Louis XVI commode delivered for Madame Royale at château de Fontainebleau which sold for €212,500 (lot 206) and by the Louis XV gilt beechwood sofa stamped by Nicolas Heurtaut (circa 1758) which sold for €112,500 (lot 213). A beautiful roman marble Venus from the 2nd century A.D sold for an impressive €478,000 against a presale estimate of €65,000-85,000 (lot 207).

Lot 228. A Louis XV silver soup tower, lid and display from the Orloff service, by Jacques-Nicolas Roettiers, Paris, 1770. Silver soup tureen, lid and display stand. Soup tureen: 43 cm (17 in). Stand: 51 cm (20 in). Weight: 12,332 gr (396.48 oz). Estimate: €800,000-1,200,000. Price realised €970,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.

Lot 206. A royal Louis XVI ormolu-mounted tuliwood, amaranth and hollywood commode stamped by Jean-Henri Riesener, circa 1783, delivered for Madame Royale at Château de Fontainebleau. Estimate: €100,000 - €200,000. Price realised €212,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020. 

Lot 213. A Louis XV gilt beechwood sofa stamped by Nicolas Heurtaut, circa 1758. H.: 108 cm. (42 ½ in.) ; L.: 187 cm. (73 ½ in.) ; P.: 90 cm. (35 ½ in.). Estimate: €100,000 - €200,000. Price realised €112,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020. 

Lot 207. A Roman marble Venus, circa 2nd century A.D. H.: 78 cm. Estimate: €65,000 - €85,000. Price realised €478,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020. 

An Art Déco 18k gold tea and coffee service by Cartier, which was amongst the highlights of the sale, was sold €352,000 against a presale estimate of €100,000-150,000 (lot 226), which corresponds to 4 times its weight of gold.

Lot 226. An Art Déco 18k gold tea and coffee service by Cartier. H.de la cafetière: 21,5 cm.(8 ½ in.); L. du plateau: 35 cm. (13 ¾ in.). Poids brut (avec toutes les pièces): 4020 gr. (129.24 oz.) ; Poids sans le plateau: 1840 gr. (59.15 oz.). Estimate: €100,000 - €150,000. Price realised €352,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.

Finally, international collectors paid a beautiful tribute to Lady Mendl also known as Elsie de Wolf, one of Paul-Louis Weiller’s closest friend. Two portraits of the woman who became the world’s first Interior Designer reached strong prices as her portrait by Giovanni Boldini was sold for €112,500 (lot 229) and the one by Bernard Boutet de Monvel realised €72,500 (lot 230).

Lot 230. Giovanni Boldini (Ferrare 1842-1931 Paris), Portrait d'Ella de Wolfe, dite 'Elsie', plus tard Lady Mendl (1865-1950), signé 'Boldini' (en haut à droite), huile sur toile, sur sa toile d'origine, 50 x 65 cm. (19 5/8 x 25 ½ in.). Estimate: €60,000 - €80,000. Price realised €112,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.

Lot 230. Bernard Boutet de Monvel (Paris 1881-1949 Sao Miguel Island), Portrait de Lady Mendl (1865-1950), née Ella de Wolfe, dite "Elsie", signé 'BERNARD / BOUTET DE MONVEL' (en haut à droite), huile sur toile, sur sa toile d'origine, 60 x 69 cm. (23 1/8 x 27 1/8 in.). Estimate: €40,000 - €60,000. Price realised €72,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.