Christie's is set to sell a staggering collection of European antiques, amassed by philanthropist and patron of the arts Irene Roosevelt Aitken over a lifetime of refined collecting. Spanning nearly 800 lots, the sale promises to unveil whether the demand for opulent and ornate pieces still holds sway in an era dominated by minimalist tastes.
The collection reflects Irene's extraordinary eye for connoisseurship, showcasing Fragonard drawings, Romney portraits, Savonnerie carpets, Louis XV giltwood chairs, Meissen porcelain, and antique European firearms. Each piece is a testament to her taste for the finest European craftsmanship, with Christie's deputy chairman Will Strafford describing it as "extraordinary in terms of connoisseurship" and noting that its consistency of superlative quality across multiple categories remains unparalleled.
Among the highlights of the sale are a pair of George III ormolu-mounted blue john candle vases by Matthew Boulton, expected to fetch $80,000-120,000. Also up for grabs is a Tiffany 18-karat gold dressing room set, complete with brushes, perfume bottles, scissors, and more, which could sell for $100,000-150,000.
While the sale may be taking place during turbulent economic times, Strauss remains confident that there will be buyers willing to pay top dollar. "The taste for French 18th Century remains alive," says Paris dealer Guillaume Léage, who plans to bid on behalf of clients including the Louvre and other esteemed institutions. London dealer Jonny Yarker agrees, stating that collectors are always drawn to the best and that Irene's legacy will endure.
Irene herself stipulated that the auction's proceeds would benefit several prominent arts institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, and the Morgan Library and Museum. Her husband Russell Barnett Aitken's collection was largely acquired by their late first wife Annie Laurie Crawford, whose daughter Sunny von Bülow was a fashion icon.
The sale has sparked debate about whether there is still an appetite for opulent antiques among younger collectors. Susan Gutfreund, a collector who recently trimmed back her own collection of rarefied items, notes that "it's not the end of an era" and that people are always drawn to exceptional quality. Despite the absence of deep-pocketed figures like Bezos or Beyoncé, it seems unlikely that Irene's extraordinary collection will remain untouched.
As Christie's prepares for the sale, art lovers can expect a rare glimpse into a bygone era of taste and luxury. With its exquisite craftsmanship and masterpieces from some of Europe's most renowned artists, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire those fortunate enough to experience it.
The collection reflects Irene's extraordinary eye for connoisseurship, showcasing Fragonard drawings, Romney portraits, Savonnerie carpets, Louis XV giltwood chairs, Meissen porcelain, and antique European firearms. Each piece is a testament to her taste for the finest European craftsmanship, with Christie's deputy chairman Will Strafford describing it as "extraordinary in terms of connoisseurship" and noting that its consistency of superlative quality across multiple categories remains unparalleled.
Among the highlights of the sale are a pair of George III ormolu-mounted blue john candle vases by Matthew Boulton, expected to fetch $80,000-120,000. Also up for grabs is a Tiffany 18-karat gold dressing room set, complete with brushes, perfume bottles, scissors, and more, which could sell for $100,000-150,000.
While the sale may be taking place during turbulent economic times, Strauss remains confident that there will be buyers willing to pay top dollar. "The taste for French 18th Century remains alive," says Paris dealer Guillaume Léage, who plans to bid on behalf of clients including the Louvre and other esteemed institutions. London dealer Jonny Yarker agrees, stating that collectors are always drawn to the best and that Irene's legacy will endure.
Irene herself stipulated that the auction's proceeds would benefit several prominent arts institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick Collection, and the Morgan Library and Museum. Her husband Russell Barnett Aitken's collection was largely acquired by their late first wife Annie Laurie Crawford, whose daughter Sunny von Bülow was a fashion icon.
The sale has sparked debate about whether there is still an appetite for opulent antiques among younger collectors. Susan Gutfreund, a collector who recently trimmed back her own collection of rarefied items, notes that "it's not the end of an era" and that people are always drawn to exceptional quality. Despite the absence of deep-pocketed figures like Bezos or Beyoncé, it seems unlikely that Irene's extraordinary collection will remain untouched.
As Christie's prepares for the sale, art lovers can expect a rare glimpse into a bygone era of taste and luxury. With its exquisite craftsmanship and masterpieces from some of Europe's most renowned artists, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire those fortunate enough to experience it.
just read about Christie's epic sale of Irene Roosevelt Aitken's antique collection 
800 lots of opulent European goodies including Fragonard drawings and Louis XV giltwood chairs! 
the question is, will there be buyers willing to shell out top $$$ for this luxurious loot? 
i think it's gonna be a wild ride 
collectors like Guillaume Léage from Paris are already getting hyped about bidding on behalf of big-name institutions like the Louvre 
even if it means breaking the bank 
susan gutfreund is right, it's not the end of an era for collecting rarefied items 
this sale is gonna be a major win for art lovers everywhere! 
like wut makes someone say "yaaas I want 2 spend $100k on a antique vase"?? is it cuz they just wanna own a piece of history or is it just a status symbol? 
idk but i do think its kinda cool that Irene's collection is gonna benefit arts institutions 
. As a parent, I can totally relate to the value of quality over quantity and the importance of preserving traditions. Irene Roosevelt Aitken's collection is truly a treasure trove of European craftsmanship and artistry 
. It's amazing to think that she's spent her life collecting these pieces with such dedication and attention to detail.
. This collection has the power to transport us to another era and spark imagination in all who experience it.
. As a parent, I know that kids can be influenced by their surroundings, and if we expose them to high-quality art and craftsmanship from a young age, they're more likely to appreciate its value.
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the thing that really caught my eye was how some people were saying that opulent antiques are a thing of the past but honestly I think they're just getting older and wiser, you know? Irene's collection is insane and it's amazing that collectors like Guillaume Léage are still willing to shell out big bucks for it. And yeah, Susan makes a good point about people always being drawn to exceptional quality. Maybe we just need to redefine what that means in today's world 
. All these opulent antiques are just a bunch of old stuff that people are willing to pay top dollar for because they think it's cool or something. Newsflash: we're living in an era where minimalism is the way forward, and people are finally realizing that less really is more. I mean, $100k-150k for a Tiffany gold dressing room set? Come on! 
Does anyone think Irene's collection will find a new home soon? 
. On one hand, it's awesome that Irene's collection is going to benefit some amazing art institutions – that's super cool 
. Like, isn't art supposed to be beautiful and valuable? shouldn't that just translate to people wanting to own it, regardless of what's "trendy"? 