The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million

The June 10 sale of Design and 18th Century furniture from La Rêverie: The Collection of Sydell Miller totalled $17,956,500 and was 91% sold by lot and 98% sold by value, with 220% hammer sold above the total low estimate.

Bidders participated from 28 countries and 56% of lots sold above their high estimates. During Christie’s May marquee sales, fine art from Sydell Miller’s collection totalled $28,636,500, led by works from Barbara Hepworth, which set a new auction record for the artist, and Joan Mitchell, bringing the collection total to $46,593,000.

Leading the June 10 sale was François-Xavier Lalanne’s ‘Troupeau d’Éléphants dans les Arbres’ Table, 2001, depicting an elephant herd gathering under the branching shelter of an octagonal centre table, which sold for $6,630,000 above the estimate of $1,000,000-1,500,000, after a prolonged bidding battle.

Top lots of 18th Century furniture which surpassed their high estimates include a pair of consulat ormolu-mounted and brass-inlaid ebony meubles d’appui by Etienne Levasseur, circa 1800, which totalled $1,062,000 (estimate: $300,000-500,000), a pair of Louis XVI ormolu-mounted, pewter and lacquered tole-inlaid ebony and ebonized tables de café by Adam Weisweiler which realized $1,050,000 (estimate: $400,000-600,000), and a Louis XIV pewter and brass-inlaid ebony, parcel-gilt and boulle marquetry cabinet-on-stand Vienna, circa 1700 which sold for $834,000 (estimate: $150,000-250,000).

Other design highlights include a regal pair of ‘Sphinx’ sculptures by Claude Lalanne, which flanked the entryway to La Rêverie and sold for $725,000, a Diego Giacometti ‘Berceau’ table, modèle aux chats, conceived circa 1970 which totalled $637,500 and two unique pairs of commodes by André Dubreuil which sold for $200,000 each pair.

New world auction records were established for Leon Bronstein, We Waste No Time at All ($112,500), Jacques le Bescond, Claire obscure ($75,000), and Peter Schlesinger, Four columns ($45,000).

NOTABLE RESULTS

  • The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million
    A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED, PEWTER AND LACQUERED TOLE-INLAID EBONY AND EBONIZED TABLES DE CAFE
    BY ADAM WEISWEILER AND PROBABLY SUPPLIED BY DOMINIQUE DAGUERRE, CIRCA 1785
    Estimate: $400,000-600,000
    Price Realized: $1,050,000
  • The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million
    A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID EBONY MEUBLES D’APPUI
    CIRCA 1790-1800
    BY ETIENNE LEVASSEUR
    Estimate: $300,000-500,000
    Price Realized: $1,062,000
  • The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million
    A LOUIS XIV PEWTER AND BRASS-INLAID EBONY, PARCEL-GILT AND BOULLE MARQUETRY CABINET-ON-STAND
    VIENNA, CIRCA 1700
    Estimate: $150,000-250,000
    Price Realized: $834,000
  • The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million
    DIEGO GIACOMETTI (1902-1985)
    ‘BERCEAU’ TABLE, MODÈLE AUX CHATS, CONCEIVED CIRCA 1970
    patinated bronze, glass
    Estimate: $300,000-500,000
    Price Realized: $637,500

NEW WORLD AUCTION RECORDS

  • The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million
    LEON BRONSTEIN (RUSSIAN, B. 1951)
    We waste no time at all
    bronze with brown and dark green patina
    Estimate: $4,000-6,000
    Price Realized: $112,500
  • The Collection Of Sydell Miller Totals $46,5 Million
    JACQUES LE BESCOND (FRENCH, B. 1945)
    Claire obscure
    bronze with black and white patina
    Estimate: $10,000-15,000
    Price Realized: $75,000
Christies

editor

Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had auction sales in the first half of 2019 that totalled £2.2 billion / $2.8 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and international expertise. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectables, 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 emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.