Sotheby’s will auction 75 Limited-Edition Versailles Celebration Cases featuring five Château Mouton Rothschild vintages to help restoration projects at the Palace.
Although the Palace of Versailles served its purpose of being an imposing statement of grandeur, power and influence, it can be safely said that a great deal of its splendour is thanks to the successive Kings’ love for art. From the magnificent chandeliers down to the parquet flooring and skirtings, every inch of the Palace and its gardens is an expression of art and craftsmanship at its highest level. Beyond the artistic and architectural artistry, the Palace that welcomes 10 million visitors annually boasts with a collection of over 60 000 artworks.
Due to the sheer scale of the Palatial complex maintenance and restoration work has been continuously going on for decades with a mammoth amount of work still to be done. As such it has seen some truly unique partnerships form during this time in order to help fund this seemingly unending task. The latest partnership formed for this purpose is between the Palace itself and the legendary Château Mouton Rothschild.
As with Versailles and its Kings, Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s family and the Château Mouton Rothschild brand has always had a history of celebrating and supporting the great artists of the day. Since 1945, some of the world’s leading contemporary artists have illustrated the labels of Château Mouton Rothschild. As such, the long-standing relationship with this tradition has seen many of these legendary artists spend time at the Château with many of their original works still on display in the estate’s Paintings from the Labels Room. Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, the Chairman and CEO of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA commented on the newly found partnership:
“An artistic bridge from one château to another, together we conceived this presentation case which celebrates the art and the art of living of one of the world’s finest wines, Château Mouton Rothschild, and the Palace of Versailles, a landmark of the world’s cultural heritage. It has been our wish to support the restoration of the Palace of Versailles by creating a limited-series collector’s case that brings together two internationally renowned symbols of art”
The partnership is joined and supported by another legendary institution Sotheby’s. Spread across three international auctions the auction house will sell 75 Limited-Edition Versailles Celebration Cases. These exceptional collectors’ pieces will feature five Château Mouton Rothschild vintages. The proceeds of which will go to help fund restoration work at the Palace. These exceptional boxes have been meticulously crafted to underline the main theme that both Châteaus have; the paramount level of refinement and luxury living harmoniously within the midst of nature. This symbolism is perfectly translated in the design of the case itself. The Palace itself is the panicle of refinement nestled, to this day, in natural woodlands. As such the case holds in it a selection of the world’s best and most refined wines within an elegantly crafted wooden case.
Each case contains five Château Mouton Rothschild vintages with labels by outstanding contemporary artists who have also exhibited at the Palace of Versailles:
- Giuseppe Penone (Château Mouton Rothschild 2005; Palace of Versailles, 2013)
- Bernar Venet (Château Mouton Rothschild 2007; Palace of Versailles, 2011)
- Anish Kapoor (Château Mouton Rothschild 2009; Palace of Versailles, 2015)
- Jeff Koons (Château Mouton Rothschild 2010; Palace of Versailles, 2008-9)
- Lee Ufan (Château Mouton Rothschild 2013; Palace of Versailles, 2014)
Château Mouton Rothschild 2013, illustrated by Lee Ufan Château Mouton Rothschild 2010, illustrated by Jeff Koons Château Mouton Rothschild 2009, illustrated by Anish Kapoor Château Mouton Rothschild 2007, illustrated by Bernar Venet Château Mouton Rothschild 2005, illustrated by Giuseppe Penone
The President of the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles, Catherine Pégard added:
“For the past ten years, the greatest contemporary artists have engaged in a dialogue with the illustrious builders of Versailles. Before or after stopping off at Versailles some of them – Giuseppe Penone, Bernar Venet, Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Lee Ufan – entered the unique collection created by Baron Philippe de Rothschild with the 1945 label and enhanced by his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, around the labels of the most prestigious of their wines. This presentation case, reminiscent of puzzle boxes holding the most precious or fabulous secrets, bears witness to this shared history and to Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA as a patron of Versailles.
The cases will be offered across a trio of international auctions at Sotheby’s throughout Spring 2019, beginning in Hong Kong on 1 April, followed by London on 17 April and concluding in New York on 4 May. Successful bidders will also receive an invitation for them and a guest to attend a private visit and tasting at Château Mouton Rothschild as well as for an exclusive event, the Versailles Celebration Gala Dinner, at the Palace of Versailles on 21 September 2019, during which historic ex-cellar vintages of Château Mouton Rothschild will be served. The evening combines the world of art and the art of living symbolic of the two organisations and presents connoisseurs with a one-time opportunity to be part of a unique artistic partnership while supporting the future of the Palace of Versailles.
For more information on the sale or to register click here.
Images: Thomas Garnier and Mathieu Anglada
