PRESS RELEASE | N E W Y O R K | 16 OCTOBER 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHRISTIE’S PRESENTS THE SPECTRUM OF 18th CENTURY EUROPEAN DECORATIVE ARTS WITH THE OCTOBER SALE OF THE CONNOISSEUR’S EYE New York – On October 24, Christie’s is pleased to present the sale of The Connoisseur’s Eye, which will encompass over 240 examples of 18th century European furniture, works of art and porcelain. The sale is highlighted by several exceptional collections, including Property from the Estate of Mrs. Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans. Almost the entire wonderful group of European furniture and Sèvres porcelain within this collection was originally acquired by Mary Duke Biddle (1887-1960) for 1009 Fifth Avenue, which remains one of the few remaining intact townhouses on Fifth Avenue from New York's gilded age. Among the Property from the Estate of Mrs. Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans is a George I scarlet and gilt- Japanned bureau cabinet, the decoration by Daniel Massey, possibly from the workshop of John Belchier, circa 1720 (estimate: $100,000 – 200,000) – pictured opened and closed, above. This beautiful early eighteenth century japanned bureau-cabinet would have been a significant commission by a patron entranced by the exotic art of the Orient. It is decorated with gold on a red ground in imitation of lacquer and with vignettes inspired by contemporary imported Chinese screens and chests. This so-called ‘japanning’ was promoted by Messrs. Stalker and Parker in their A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing, 1688. Additional Highlights Include: A Royal Copenhagen Porcelain 'Flora Danica' Dinner Service, 20th Century, Blue Wave and Green Printed Marks, Pattern No. 20 Estimate: $80,000 - 120,000 A Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Secretaire A Abattant, By Jean-Henri Riesener, Circa 1785, The Mounts Probably By Pierre Gouthiere Estimate: $150,000 - 250,000 A Late Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Ebony A Bronze Relief Depicting The Triumph Of Galatea Mounted On Regulateur, The Case Attributed To Nicholas Petit, A Marble Jardiniere, After The Model By Claude Michel The Movement By Lepaute, Circa 1765-1770 Clodion (1738-1814), Late 18th Century Estimate: $50,000 - 80,000 Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000 A Sevres (Hard-Paste) Porcelain Bottle Cooler From A Service Made for the Comtesse Du Barry (Seau A Bouteille 'Ordinaire', 1ère Grandeur), Gilt Crowned Interlaced L's Enclosing Date Letter V (U) For 1773 Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000 An Empire Ormolu And Cut-Glass Twelve-Light A George II Giltwood Overmantle Mirror Chandelier, Circa 1805 In The Manner Of Thomas Johnson, Circa 1755, Originally With Estimate: $60,000 – 90,000 Further Cresting Estimate: $50,000 - 80,000 A Pair Of Late Louis XV Giltwood Fauteuils A La Reine By Either Francois I Or Francois Ii Foliot, Circa 1760-1770 Estimate: $80,000 – 120,000 PRESS CONTACT: Rebecca Riegelhaupt | +1 212 636 2680 | [email protected] Please click here for the complete eCatalogue. About Christie’s Christie’s, the world's leading art business, reached a total of £2.4 billion/$3.68 billion in global auction and private sales in the first six months of 2013. In 2012, global auction and private sales totaled £3.92 billion/$6.27 billion, marking the highest annual revenue ever reached by Christie’s. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photography, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with an emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewelry. Global private sales totaled £465 million/$711 million in the first half year of 2013, an increase of 13% from the same period last year, breaking the sales record of half year private sales for Christie’s and the art market for three consecutive years. Christie’s has a global presence of 53 offices in 32 countries and 11 salerooms around the world including London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Christie’s has recently led in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and The United Arab Emirates, with successful sales, exhibitions and initiatives held in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits. # # # Images available on request FOLLOW CHRISTIE’S ON: .