The prestigious auction of May Saturday 15 organized by Besch Cannes Auction was again placed under the sign of modernity since there were presented works from artists representative of the main trends of Modern Art & Contemporary Art with notably Bernard Buffet (1928-1999). Shades of grey or brightly coloured canvas like these «Yellow Umbels», oil on canvas signed and dated 1966 (sold 188250€ - lot 184), all his creations are always marked by deep black features ; assertive lines that generally form the deliberately angular contours of its subjects. It is a way for the artist to accentuate its features, thus giving his compositions a dark and sometimes mysterious side that immediately ranks him among the most famous representatives of the expressionist current.
Considered one of the most famous French painters, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) belongs to the Impressionist current ; a current born in the second half of the nineteenth century and which favors subjects taken from everyday life (as many testimonies of this time). A movement that encourages painters to leave their workshops to practice their art outdoors. Preferring for his part the portrait, Renoir nevertheless shares this approach of the pictorial art, which allows him to give a great freshness to his canvases and to infuse to his subjects a feeling of life ; what shows this «Head of child», whose blondness and delicate features reflect softness. An oil on canvas signed in the top left «Renoir» and which was exhibited at the Renoir Museum of Cagnes-sur-Mer in the room dedicated to portraits, from July 15, 2013 to February 5, 2021 (sold 82850€ - Lot 157).
Jean Dufy (1888-1964), Raoul’s younger brother, whose technique and subjects he would draw his inspiration from, was attentive to detail. His compositions, which often dominate blue, frequently welcome many characters. Crowds or evenings that his canvases bear witness to, such as this «Brasserie au bois de Boulogne», gouache watercolor signed on the bottom right that got 26355€ (Lot 155).
Roger Godchaux (1878-1958), a painter and sculptor trained at the École des Beaux-arts de Paris and the Julian Academy, quickly turned to animal art. Great admirer of the work of Antoine-Louis Barye, he particularly appreciates the large wild animals, as evidenced by this «Lionne curieuse», bronze with brown patina signed on the base (sold 11300€ - Lot 56).
The oil on canvas «Signe d'une tache verte, 1985» by Olivier Debré (1920-1999), signed titled and dated on the back, doubled its high estimate, that is 20100€ (Lot 123). It cost 25100€ for the watercolor and charcoal «Les Andelys, 1926» by Paul Signac (1863-1935) (Lot 129), 23750€ for the oil on the wooden panel «Topo-pêcheurs et gondoles dans le bassin» by Felix Ziem (1811-1911) (Lot 158) and 24100€ for the oil on canvas signed with the monogram at the bottom right of Geer Van Velde (1898-1977) (Lot 187).
A beautiful set of glassware was also presented including a rare bottle of the French master glassmaker and jeweller, René Lalique, renowned for his creations of jewelry as well as for his perfume bottles, unique and particularly refined pieces as illustrated by this model «Ripe cap, black cap version» (sold at 29500€ - Lot 223)
Auctions were followed the next day, Sunday, May 16 at 2pm, by an important sale of diamonds, high jewellery pieces and signed jewels as well as coloured stones, coins and gold bars, prestige and collectible watches (Expert Edouard De Garo).
And among the most remarkable pieces presented on this occasion, it was worth noting a diamond on round paper weighing 5.04 cts of H color and purity VS1 (sold 52100€ on an estimate of 18/28000 € - Lot 215), an important Burmese sapphire cushion size, weighing 15.41 cts, mounted on a platinum ring set with an entourage of calibrated baguette diamonds for a total of approx. 4 cts (sold 37525€ - Lot 199), a superb ring, high jewellery "KAA" made in white gold and signed Boucheron (sold 18575€ - Lot 208) as well as a rare vintage bracelet «Ludo briquettes» formed by small flexible links in yellow gold intertwined with each other ; one of the emblematic inventions of the Van Cleef & Arpels House whose signature it bears (sold 14050€ - Lot 171).
PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES - MODERN & CONTEMPORARY - DECORATIVE ARTS OF XXth, DESIGN
Bernard BUFFET (1928-1999) - Les ombelles jaunes, 1966
Oil on canvas signed and dated right down, bearing the reference to the back of canvas 41T - 92 x 60 cm
A certificate from Mr Garnier dated 18 May 1973 is given to the purchaser
Sold 188250€ - Lot 184
PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR (1847-1919) - Tête d’enfant
Oil on canvas -
Signed at top left “Renoir” -
Small restoration -
12,5 X 9,5 cm
Sold 82850€ - Lot 157
Provenance : Private collection of a film maker
Olivier DEBRÉ (1920-1999) - Signe d’une tache verte, 1985
Oil on canvas signed titled and dated on the back - 80 x 50 cm
Origin : private collection
Sold : 20100€ - Lot 123
Paul SIGNAC 1863-1935 - Les Andelys, 1926
Watercolor and charcoal signed, dated and located on the bottom right - 22 x 28 cm
Sold : 25100€ - Lot 129
Félix ZIEM (1821-1911) - Topo-pêcheurs et gondoles dans le bassin
Oil on parquet sign signed bottom right - 54 x 77 cm - Took place in the archives of the association Félix Ziem represented by Mathias Ary Jan, David Pluskwa and Gérard Fabre confirming the authenticity of the work
Sold : 23750€ - Lot 158
Geer VAN VELDE (1898-1977) - Composition
Oil on canvas signed with the monogram on the bottom right - 36,5 x 31 - With frame 51 x 46,5 cm - Probably framed by the artist
Sold : 24100€ - Lot 187
Jean DUFY (1888-1964) - Brasserie au bois de Boulogne
Gouache watercolor signed bottom right - 44 x 59.5 cm
A certificate from Jacques Bailly is given to the buyer indicating that this work will be reproduced in Volume III of the catalogue raisonné
Sold : 26355€ - Lot 155
René LALIQUE - RARE PERFUME BOTTLE
Model : ripe cap, black cap version, base and bottle coordinates of origin - Signature R. Lalique confirmed
Height : 11.7 cm / Reference: L'art de René Lalique, flacons par Christie Mayer Lefkowith page 199
Sold : 29500€ - Lot 223
Roger GODCHAUX (1878-1958) - Lionne curieuse
Bronze with brown patina - Signed on the base - Postmark "Susse Frères Editeur Paris" - Lost wax - Old Edition Font - Height : 21 cm
Sold 11300€ - Lot 56
IMPORTANT DIAMONDS - HIGH JEWELRY & SIGNED JEWELS - COLOURED STONES - COINS & GOLD BARS - PRESTIGE & COLLECTIBLE WATCHES
Jewel Expert : Edouard De Garo - expertise@de-garo.com - Tel : 33(0)6 30 92 15 92
Round diamond weighing 5,04 carats - Comes with a HRD certificate stating that the color is H and the clarity is VS1
Sold : 52100€ - Lot 215
BOUCHERON
Splendid white gold ring representing a python with the eyes in emerald, the body subtly wound to form the shank, entirely paved with brilliant cut diamonds of excellent quality for a total of approx. 6 carats - Signed, numbered
Sold : 18575€ - Lot 208
Van Cleef & Arpels
One of VCA most renowned and iconic design, a vintage "Ludo Briquette" bracelet in yellow gold, fully articulated, the folding clasp embelished with five european cut diamonds for about 2,50 cts total and black enamel - Signed, Maker's mark Pery & Fils - Circa 1934 - Adjustable length
Sold : 14050€ - Lot 171
Rare and important cushion cut sapphire weighing 15,41 cts set in a large platinum surrounded by calibrated baguette diamonds for a total of around 4 cts
This ring comes with a GIA certificate and a GÜBELIN certificate both stating the sapphire is natural from Burma without thermal modification
Sold : 37525€ - Lot 199
CARTIER Paris
Vintage yellow gold "Turtle" brooch, the body embelished with turquoise beads, the eyes set with cabochon sapphires - Signed, numbered, maker's mark SCA - Circa 1950
Sold : 5650€ - Lot 188
CARTIER Paris
Vintage yellow gold "Turtle" brooch, the body embelished with fine quality facetted rubies, the eyes set with cabochon sapphires - Signed, numbered, maker's mark SCA - Circa 1950
Sold : 6150€ - Lot 189
Natural pearl strand necklace made of 87 various colors ended by 14K white gold clasp set with two 8/8 diamonds This necklace comes with : - a SSEF certificate stating that the pearls are ranging from 3,35 to 7,80 mm, from seawater origin and natural colors - a box from Masriera v Carreras Barcelona
Sold : 7530€ - Lot 113
Pendant set with a baroque pearl perfectly suited to the design, the rest of the body in chiseled yellow gold, the wrists and legs tied with a floral cord painted with green enamel (M)
Sold : 8785€ - Lot 109
Platinum solitaire ring mounted with a cushion cut diamond weighing 5,01 cts shouldered with a row of brilliant cut diamonds. This ring comes with a HRD certificate stating the diamond is I colour and SI2 clarity
Sold : 27600€ - Lot 210
CARTIER
Rare, superb lady's watch, bezel and watch winder in platinum set with a double row of brilliant cut diamonds for a total of approx. 3 cts, roman numerals, original manual winding movement (works), black satin strap Cartier, Cartier original white gold folding clasp - Comes with its pouch
Sold : 10050€ - Lot 192
PATEK PHILIPPE
"AQUANAUTE LUCE"
Lady's watch in stainless steel case set with brilliant cut diamonds for approx. 1 ct total, black dial, roman numeral, date, quartz mechanism, rubber strap ended with Patek Philippe stainless steel folding clasp
Serviced, all parts are original - Comes with its travel box, papers and certificate of authenticity
Sold : 26500€ - Lot 198
VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Rare, sterling silver clock with three windows on a marble base representing a romantic medieval scene. The dial in the centre is signed, engraved hands, arabic numerals, supported to the left by a figurine representing a minstrel with his instrument and to the right by a courtisan listening to him. The set made of polychrome enamel remained in a beautiful state of conservation. Case number 249906, caliber RA19" Movement 8 days. The movement has to be restored. All parts of this clock are original.
Circa 1925 - Comes with its original red leather case stamped Vacheron Constantin and its archive extract issued by the Heritage Department of Vacheron Constantin
Sold : 11545€ - Lot 149
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Men's yellow gold alarm watch, outer dial in white laquer with roman numerals, the inner dial in mother of pearl named after 24 international cities, wake-up mode, automatic mechanism by Jaeger LeCoultre with 44 hr power reserve (works) that is visible on both side of the case - Aligator strap with yellow gold VCA folding clasp - Comes with its box, outerbox, warranty and user guide
Sold : 9915€ - Lot 173
Gold bar numbered 637582
Sold : 55280€ - Lot 321
BESCH CANNES AUCTION
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Contact press : Isabelle de Puysegur - Tel/Fax: 33(0)6 60 57 58 78 - i.puysegur@wanadoo.fr