“We go to the main course”, launched auctioneer François-Xavier Allix, this Saturday, February 20, 2021, at the Porte Océane auction house in Le Havre, by presenting lot n ° 50. In the room, a small fifty people, health crisis obliges: antique dealers, commander of the merchant marine, nostalgic for liners, simple curious, and representatives of the Escal’Atlantic museum of Saint-Nazaire. 400 people had registered to be able to bid, online and over the phone, at this sale which included 370 lots.
The treasure of Normandie
After around thirty boxes from the XIXe century, in cardboard and gilded embossed paper, sold between 50 and 120 euros, a Chinese porcelain vase adorned with butterflies sold for 520 euros or a chest of drawers in the early 20th centurye at 1,950 euros, the main course has finally arrived. This unique set of eighteen panels signed Jean Dunand, representing two wild horses in gold and colored lacquers, was the lower part of one of the four decorations of the smoking room of the first classes of the Normandie.
This liner, a luxurious ambassador of French Art Deco, linked Le Havre to New York for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT) in the 1930s. The whole had been discovered in the cellar of a residence in Le Havre, well packed, in as part of an estate. “These panels are very important for the history of art and have a great history”, commented the auctioneer, before starting at 240,000 euros the auctions that took place over the phone, slowly, between four and then two bidders.
Auctioned at 770,000 euros
For about ten minutes, prices gradually climbed. “… 600,000. Here is a brave…” “770,000”. ” No regrets ? Does anyone in the room want to raise their hand? Once, 770 twice, three times. “ The hammer was lowered and the audience applauded.
Present in the room, the representative of the State did not stand up, to exercise a right of pre-emption: the final amount exceeded the allocated budget. Consolation: The Conquest of the Horse should remain in France, acquired by a passionate Art Deco collector and Jean Dunand.
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