Many dealers who took part in the Paris Biennale des Antiquaires, which ended on October 1st, were elated regarding their volume of business. In fact those who seemed much enthusiastic were Art Deco specialists such as Yves Gastou and Cheska Vallois who sold many pieces to several American buyers.
Some 100,000 people visited the Biennale but exhibitors specialising in 18th Century art regretted that this event was far from having the aura of the Maastricht fair and stressed that it should run over 12 days only.
The Biennale is now thus facing a new turn with Art Deco objects and furniture stealing the show. Pieces by Arbus, Eileen Gray, Ruhlmann, Subes, Jacques Quinet, J. M. Frank, Jansen, Rateau or Printz sold tremendously well.
The same cannot be said regarding Old Masters especially as Maastricht now plays a leading role in that field. Still, Haboldt reportedly sold a still life by the Master of Hartford for about $ 2,4 million and Bernheimer obtained $ 5,4 million for a painting by French 18th Century artist François de Troy titled “return from the Ball”.
Modern paintings fared better notably regarding a maternity of 1921 by Picasso sold by Krugier for $ 25 million and a bronze sculpture by Marino Marini, which was bought from the Parisian gallery Cazeau-la Béraudière for about $ 2, 7 million.
A Monet work painted in 1888 was sold for $ 4 million by the Schmit gallery and a pastel by Degas was acquired immediately from the Hopkins-Thomas-Custot gallery.
Works by Hartung and Soulages went at prices far more superior than those recorded at auction while jewels sold well during the Biennale. However, there was no real craze for 18th Century art pieces that ensured the success of the Biennale during its previous editions.
Home
