Christie’s announces October auction series: Rothschild Masterpieces

Assortment of artworks and objects that will be offered in the fall Rothschild Masterpieces sales at Christie’s New York. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2023

NEW YORK – Christie’s will present a series of auctions of Rothschild Masterpieces this fall. These will be the first-ever North American sales of objects belonging to one of the great collecting families in history, an unprecedented opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs. The sales will include a magnificent selection of decorative and fine art that reflects the discernment, art de vivre, and – above all – the taste of this storied dynasty. Rothschild Masterpieces brings together some 600 lots, with a total estimate in excess of $20 million, of furniture, enamels, maiolica, Renaissance jewels, silver and paintings of the highest quality, assembled by two generations of Rothschilds in France, largely during the latter half of the 19th century. Christie’s will conduct this landmark series of auctions at Rockefeller Center, with an evening sale on October 11; two day sales on October 12 and 13, respectively; and a concurrent online sale. An international touring exhibition will take place in Hong Kong May 24-28 and in London July 1-7.

Deputy Chairman of Christie’s Americas Jonathan Rendell said, “It is a huge honor for us at Christie’s New York to be chosen as the venue for the first Rothschild sale to be held in America. Characteristically, both scholarly and sumptuous, the objects we are bringing to sale have been treasured by generations of the family and demonstrate the very essence of the term ‘gout Rothschild.'”

Circular Limoges enamel charger depicting the punishment of Niobe by Diana and Apollo, estimated in the region of $200,000. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2023

Le Gout Rothschild

For generations, the Rothschild family has shown a passion for living with the very best of everything down to the smallest detail, of taking pleasure in experiencing the highest quality in every object you own, a style known as le gout Rothschild (Rothschild taste).

Dutch silver-gilt mounted nautilus cup, estimated in the region of $125,000. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2023

The works in these auctions helped define that taste. Baron James and his wife Betty, and their son Baron Alphonse and his wife Leonora, purchased these objects for their palatial Chateau de Ferrieres outside Paris (which opened in 1862 with a gala attended by Napoleon III) and for their houses in the city. In keeping with the Rothschild family’s grand tradition of philanthropy, the Rothschild family donated the Chateau de Ferrieres to France in 1975, and it is now owned by the town of Ferrieres.

Urbino or Turin armorial istoriato oval dish, estimated in the region of $50,000. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2023

The Rothschild taste, which can be defined as sumptuous domesticity, was a profound influence on the great Gilded Age families of the United States, including the Vanderbilts, Astors and Rockefellers. They furnished their residences in New York and Newport, Rhode Island by acquiring and installing entire interiors of stately homes in France and England in their residences.

Dutch School, follower of Rembrandt, ‘The Triumph of David,’ set of painted and embossed leather panels laid down on canvas, estimated in the region of $1.5 million. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2023

The Rothschild taste has remained important down to our own time, influencing designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, who was inspired by the interiors of the Chateau de Ferrieres during the decoration of his own home.

The Rothschilds and Christie’s: A Storied History
During the course of more than a century, the Rothschild family has entrusted Christie’s with many prestigious sales. In particular, Christie’s auctioned some 50 masterpieces from a Rothschild collection in London in July 2019, which made £23.8 million (roughly $29.3 million), a sum 280% above the low estimate.

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