For Sale: Madame du Barry's Marble Chimney Piece

On the 27th of January Madame du Barry's chimney piece is going up for auction in New York.  The white marble piece was designed by Claude Nicolas Ledoux and is detailed in gold.  Why is this so exciting? This piece and other 18th century treasures will be on view in New York City this month, but only for a week!

Claude Nicolas Ledoux, Chimneypiece. Ormolu-mounted white marble with gold detail, designed for Madame du Barry's Pavillion de Louvecinnes, c1771.

It is of Louis XVI style, and was originally housed in her Salon à Cul-au-Four, in Louvciennes.  The chimneypiece was taken from Louvciennes in 1793 by the Revolutionary Government and later went up for auction in 1997.  For this sale, the piece is expected to fetch $100,000 - $200,000.

Detail, Chimneypiece

Even if you know you wont be bidding on her chimneypiece, it is worth seeing in person. This piece along with several other fine 18th century artworks will be on view.  The exhibition includes a set of Sevres vase garniture commissioned by Louis XV.  The beautiful set is one of two the king had commissioned, the second set is currently in the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

The large vase currently in the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.  Egg shaped garnitures such as this are very rare, but if you have been to Versailles you may have seen a set similar in white with chinoiserie decoration which Marie Antoinette is thought to have commissioned!

The exhibition will also feature a set of tapestries depicting Daphnis and Chloe, based on paintings by Phillippe II, Duc d'Orleans. Other pieces include impressive clocks, and a pretty spectacular 18th century marquetry grand piano.  The full catalogue of items on view can be seen here.

Visit the exhibition:
21 Jan 2012 - 26 Jan 2012
1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021

Louis XV

Attributed to Jean-Claude Chambellan Duplessis, commissioned by Louis XV, A Royal Louis XV Ormolu-mounted Sèvres fond violet porcelain three-piece vase garniture. Porcelain, c1768.

Detail.

Detail

Duc d'Orléans

Jean le Febvre the Younger (woven by), Philippe II, Duc d'Orlèans (designed by), French Allegorical tapestries (set of 4)  depicting the story of Daphnis and Chloe. Made at the manufacture des Gobelins, 1718-1720.

Detail