This month from July 16 through July 19, French auction house Artcurial will present a series of sales composing their Monaco Auction Week. From haute horology to important design, the curated sales will showcase premier lots from a diverse range of Artcurial’s departments. Held at the prestigious Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, ahead of Monaco Auction Week there will be a selection of public exhibitions at Hôtel Hermitage as well as across Monaco and in Paris.
Kicking off the week is the dazzling High Jewelry sale, featuring hundreds of unique and expertly crafted pieces. With houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Tiffany and Co. represented, there is an extreme diversity of styles and types included. A 7.10-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring, as well as a sought-after diamond ring from Chanel’s “Comète” collection, highlight the sale, which will be held between July 16, 17, and 19, and which promises to impress.
Chanel, “Griffe d’étoile” ring from the “Comète” Collection. Est. €160,000–€250,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
Continuing the theme of rarity and exquisite craftsmanship are two timepiece sales, Important Watches, on July 16, and Le temps est féminin, a sale dedicated to lady’s watches that will take place on July 17. Rivaling the glamour of the High Jewelry sale, Le temps est féminin features lots such as a gold Cartier skeleton watch affixed with a gold chain. Both events contain historical and contemporary examples of timepieces from some of the world’s most acclaimed watchmakers, as well as iconic silhouettes, such as Jaeger LeCoultre Manufacture’s Reverso and Omega’s Speedmaster.
Cartier, lady’s dress watch with gold fitted chain (ca. 1980). Est. €8,000–€12,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
With a long history of being at the pinnacle of the fine leather goods market and a symbol of excellence and exclusivity, the Hermés Birkin and Kelly bags have recently experienced a further revival and sit at the apogee of luxury leather bag collecting—and Artcurial has held dedicated auctions to the brand for two decades. Alongside classic handbag silhouettes, such as the Chanel quilted flap bag, and contemporary newcomers like a Louis Vuitton limited edition Summit Drive bag, Hermés still reigns supreme in the Hermés and Luxury Bags sale on July 18. A clear highlight of the sale is an extremely rare and widely desired Hermés Kelly Retourné Himalaya 28, featuring Nile crocodile leather and the signature ombré gray to white color.
Hermès Kelly Retourné Himalaya 28 (2019). Est. €100,000–€200,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
For true art connoisseurs and art lovers, the 4th edition of the Monaco Sculptures sale will commence on July 18. With works by seminal artists such as Arman, Antoine Poncet, and Wang Keping, the selection of works, on the whole, are exhibition worthy—and will be shown as such within several gardens and palaces of the principality. Included in the sale are a pair of iconic works by François-Xavier Lalanne, a and , both from 1997. The pair are emblematic of the influential French artist’s penchant for incorporating animal motifs and mythology in his work.
François-Xavier Lalanne, left: Bélier, right: Brebis (1997). Est. €280,000–€380,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
Rounding out the Monaco Auction Week by Artcurial is the Design Sul Mare sale, which will be held on July 19, and present a private collection from Monaco of over 90 pieces. With examples of mid-century seating by Ico Parisi and lighting designed by Gino Sarfatti, the sale offers key works of Italian Modern design. Another gem, from the Campana brothers’ highly esteemed “Brazilian Baroque” series, a “Settimio” cabinet, is included in the offerings—a version of this cabinet is held by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Fernando and Humberto Campana, “Settimio” cabinet from the Barroco Rococó Collection (2012). Est. €80,000–€120,000. Courtesy of Artcurial.
