Press article : The 2025 edition of a traditional Cannes event - La Gazette Drouot
The 2025 edition of a traditional Cannes event - La Gazette Drouot
Sold for : 160020€
Three sales devoted to the contents of the finest wine cellars kicked things off from December 27 to 29. Among the remarkable results was an assortment of eight bottles from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (three La Tâche, one Romanée-Conti, two Richebourg, two Romanée-Saint-Vivant) dated 2016, which sold for 47244€.
On December Tuesday 30, it was time for fine art, particularly 20th-century works, dominated by a painting by Lé Phô, Composition florale, which sold for 160020€ (analysed in Gazette no. 45, page 79). Created in ink and colours on silk mounted on cardboard, it bears a label on the back from the Romanet gallery in Paris.
It came with a certificate of authenticity from the artist's son and heir, Alain Le Kim. Then, Maurice Utrillo signed a Rue de village dans la région lyonnaise (Village Street in the Lyon Region) in 1926, which sold for 48260€ (oil on canvas, 26 x 36 cm). More abstract, the 1961 canvas T1961-76 (55 x 33 cm) by Hans Hartung attracted 70485€. The work was executed in vinyl paint and by scraping.
In terms of sculpture, Arman delivered one of his iconic bronzes, here with a brown patina: Diana, Noli me tangere (1986). This cast, based on the ancient Diana of Gabii and inevitably cut out, was acquired for 81534€, bearing the stamp of the foundry Becquerel (173 x 79 x 50 cm).
As for the dispersal of furniture from a Cannes living room commissioned from Jules Leleu in 1955 (see Gazette No. 45, page 26), it stood out with 6350€ won by a three-seater sofa (83 x 213 x 87 cm) and two matching fabric-covered armchairs (80 x 83 x 87 cm).
Finally, on December 31, the fine jewellery was on display, led by a solid yellow gold Hermès necklace from the ‘Ale’ collection, which sold for 60960€ (length 43 cm, gross weight 78.80 g). There were also two rings, one in platinum and the other in gold, each adorned with a Burmese ruby. The first, a 4.02 ct Pigeon Blood ruby flanked by two trapezoid diamonds (gross weight 10.75 g), sold for 54610€, while the second, a 6.18 ct ruby flanked by two troïka diamonds (gross weight 6.10 g), sold for 44450€.
On December 29, twelve cases of Bordeaux nectars from the famous Duclot collection, with vintages ranging from 2009 to 2020, were eagerly awaited, having been acquired for 83142€. It should be noted that this prestigious range, produced in the Gironde region, brings together the annual production of the greatest estates in an assortment of eight or nine bottles (depending on the vintage) of Bordeaux's premier grands crus classés. This set of 104 bottles included several Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Latour, Petrus and Château Margaux wines, among others.
By Moïse Kisling (1891–1953), this Bunch of Flowers (55 x 38 cm) in a crystal vase could be purchased for 50800€ on December 30. The signed canvas, emblematic of the vivid palette dear to the master of Sanary, comes from a former New York collection, that of Mrs Laura Breton, before it was sold by Me Blache in Versailles on 11 December 1983 (lot no. 100). It should be noted that the work is reproduced in the catalogue raisonné of Kisling's work (volume II) under no. 112. It came with a certificate of authenticity by Jean Kisling, the artist's son.
César Baldaccini, alias César (1921–1998), left his signature at the base of this twirling Pair of Self-Portrait Candlesticks, which sold for 50800€ on December 30. Original works dating from 1989, the artefacts are made of welded bronze with a brown patina (48 x 24 x 17 cm). Two masks of the Marseille artist and four cherubs adorn the shafts of these witty pieces. The theme of self-portraiture has been a recurring motif in César's work since the late 1960s, featuring in many of his bronze and resin sculptures. A certificate from the artist was given to the buyer.
A pair of platinum and gold earrings worthy of a Hollywood star, designed by Boucheron, was listed for 34925€ on December 31. With a scalloped design, the upper part is decorated with a leaf motif that hugs the earlobe, adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds and graduated baguette diamonds. Each earring has a detachable lower section featuring four cascading lines set with calibrated baguette diamonds, bringing the total to approximately 9 carats. Made around 1955, these pieces are naturally signed and numbered (h. 6.5, w. 1.9 cm, gross weight 29.40 g).
Cannes, December saturday 27, sunday 28, monday 29, tuesday 30 and wednesday 31 - Besch Cannes Auction OVV - MM. DE GARO, KUZNIEWSKI, ROCHE
LA GAZETTE DROUOT N° 1 OF JANUARY 9, 2026 pages 84-85
