Paris – An exceptional single-owner collection of furniture, silver, ceramics, Chinese porcelain, and clocks, as well as a fine selection of Old Master paintings and very rare Delftware, from a Dutch connoisseur-collection will come to Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr on Thursday 14 November 2024.

Charlotte Roelofsen, Bonhams representative in the Netherlands commented, "This exceptional private collection represents the very best of Dutch and French Fine and Decorative Works of Art. Diligently assembled by a Dutch collector over 25 years, the works in this sale showcase the evolution of Dutch taste from the 17th century to the late 19th century."

The collection includes an exceptional late 18th century 'bois de bout', amaranth, kingwood, satinwood regulator clock signed "Berthoud à Paris". This remarkable pendulum is a very rare example of Berthoud's own form of compensated pendulum (estimate: €100,000-150,000) and a French monumental ormolu and mirrored circular surtout-de-table, attributed to the workshop of Pierre-Philippe Thomire, first half 19th century (estimate: €80,000-100,000). This type of surtout-de-table became extremely popular from the Empire period and throughout the 19th century and was often composed of various elements decorating the luxurious dining tables of the prominent figures of the time.

Also included in the collection is a pair of copper panels by Peter van Lint (Anvers 1609-1690) Allégorie de l'Eau and Allégorie de l'Air (estimate: €100,000-150,000). These wonderfully preserved and exceptionally large panels by Peter van Lint depict allegorical scenes with classical gods as the Four Elements. The smooth copper panels which allow both refined and delicate detail and for a luminosity of surface enabled the artist to exhibit his skills at their utmost. The present works can be compared to two works The Triumph of Love and The Triumph of Cybele now in the Museo del Prado, Madrid and now on permanent loan in Mallorca and Rome.

Born in Antwerp where he trained under Artus Wolfaert (1581-1642), Peter van Lint became a master in the Antwerp guild of St. Luke in 1632/3. He went to Italy shortly afterwards, where he was commissioned by prominent figures such as Cardinal Domenico Ginnasio, Bishop of Ostia and the Cibo family in Rome, to paint portraits, religious paintings and murals for numerous churches in Rome and was heavily influenced by Guercino and Caravaggio. Upon his return in 1640, he opened an important studio in Antwerp.

The collection also includes interesting pieces of faience (a type of earthenware) made in Arnhem, considered amongst the rarest in Dutch faience or Delftware. A very rare and important pair of polychrome figures of rampant horses, Arnhem faience, are attributed to the factory of Johan van Kerckhoff, circa 1760-1770 (estimate: €25,000-35,000).

A rare pair of Dutch Delft equestrian groups, second quarter of the 18th century, shows each a gentleman wearing a dark tricorne hat on a horse with an elaborate fringed chabraque and headgear (estimate: €15,000-20,000). Figural sculptures of horses in Dutch delftware are rare, even rarer are horses with riders of a larger size such as this pair. Another pair slightly later in date, is in the collection of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, The Lavino Collection.

Highlights of the sale include:

• Dolce Farniente by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, OM, RA (Dronrijp 1836-1912 Wiesbaden) (estimate: €20,000-30,000). The present work is related to an oil painting of the same subject commissioned from the artist by the renowned French actor Benoit Constant Coquelin. Executed in 1882, the artist probably started work on the present painting after the oil, even though it was finished five days earlier.
• A Japanese export lacquer cabinet, Edo period (1615-1868), second quarter of the 17th century, the stand of Régence style (estimate: €15,000-25,000).
• A rare small 'oil spot' bowl, Southern Song (1127-1279) (estimate : €15,000-25,000)