TWO-DAY AUCTION OF FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS FROM RENOWNED ANTIQUES DEALER ARIANE DANDOIS TWO-DAY AUCTION OF FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS FROM RENOWNED ANTIQUES DEALER ARIANE DANDOIS TOTALS AN UNPRECENDENTED $32.2 MILLION
--THE HIGHEST TOTAL EVER ACHIEVED FOR A
DEALER SALE IN THIS CATEGORY
News-Antique.com - Oct 30,2007 - New York, NY, October 29, 2007 – The two-day sale of the contents of Galerie Ariane Dandois, over 800 lots of
Continental furniture and decorative objects, brought an outstanding
total of $32,178,976, surpassing the high estimate of $20 million*.
Collectors from around the world descended on Sotheby’s galleries in
New York on October 25 & 26, 2007 to compete for the signature
taste and style of the renowned dealer. Many of the top prices
achieved over the course of the auction were for Neoclassical furniture
and objects from across the Continent, including an Important
Spanish Neoclassical Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Bureau-
Coiffeuse which surpassed a high estimate of $200/300,000 to sell for
$769,000. The top lot of the sale was a Fine and Rare Empire
Ormolu-Mounted Plum Pudding Mahogany Secrétaire à Abattant
and Matching Chiffonnier which brought $881,000, above a high
estimate of $350,000. Five lots sold for more than $500,000, 61 lots
sold for more than $100,000, and more than half of the sold lots
exceeded their high estimates. The sale was 99% sold by value and 96.8% sold by lot.
Alistair Clarke, Worldwide Head of French, Continental and English Furniture for Sotheby’s, commented: “We
are absolutely thrilled with the results achieved for Ariane’s sale, which are a testament to her taste, style and
connoisseurship. There were two main reasons for the success of the auction: first, the outstanding collaboration
between Ariane, her daughter Ondine, Juan Pablo Molyneux, and the team here at Sotheby’s to create roomsettings
utilizing Sotheby’s unique 10th floor galleries; and second, our approach of offering the collection here in
New York. Overall, the buyer profile in the auction was very international, yet our decision to hold the auction in
New York based on Ariane’s large client base in the United States was validated by the strong American
participation we witnessed.”
Mario Tavella, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, said, “The magic of Ariane has worked again, and her
tenacity and professionalism have paid off by stunning the crowds who have had the chance to view her uniquely
eclectic taste in Sotheby’s exhibition and catalogue.”
For five days before the auction, collectors previewed the offering in the spectacular exhibition designed by
celebrated decorator Juan Pablo Molyneux. Sotheby’s entire 10th floor was given over to the auction and Mr.
Molyneux transformed the space, inviting visitors to embark on a journey through time and across continents.
Other highlights of the two-day sale included a pair of Important George II Gray Painted Oak Hall Settees in
the Manner of William Kent, circa 1740, sold separately, which each brought $505,000, doubling their pre-sale
high estimates of $250,000; a set of Four Italian Early Neo-Classical Carved Giltwood Armchairs, which made
$577,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $140/200,000; and a Magnificent Italian Neoclassical Gilt-Brass and
Cut-Glass Ninety-Six Light Chandelier, circa 1820, which doubled the high estimate of $180,000 to sell for
$457,000.
• Sale total: $32,178,976
• Highest total ever for a dealer sale in this category
• Pre-sale estimate: $13/20 million
• Nearly 60%
