KOLLER VIEW 4/24

pre view. 02 21 andirons, which were made for the Grand Salon of Bel- levue Palace near Meudon by one of the best bronze makers of the period: Louis-Auguste-Alfred Beurdeley (1808–1882). In addition to the design, inspired by an original from 1784, these pieces are marked by the ex- cellent quality of the bronze work and gilding, which are in no way inferior to the originals. There is much talk about the end of collecting an- tique furniture. What is your take on this? The art and antiques market evolves in waves. Since it is capital-intensive, it reacts to the economic situation. At the same time, it’s shaped by fashion and the prefer- ences of buyers. Collectors who specialise in a particu- lar area and systematically build up a collection are rare today in the field of antique furniture. For most, it’s more about furnishing an apartment or a house. They are looking for something special and extravagant, as well 3 A pair of very fine Napoleon III display cases. Paris, circa 1875. Henri-Auguste Fourdinois (1830–1907). 102 × 44 × 99 cm. Estimate: CHF 60 000/80 000 –––– ‘Special and extravagant furniture and objects, as well as objects of out- standing quality, remain sought-after’. –––– as objects of outstanding quality. Nowadays, people rarely furnish their homes entirely with antiques; they are more likely to look for outstanding individual pieces. What should you look out for if you want to build a collection like this today? The most important thing is to know your subject. It's worth getting good advice when you're starting out, especially before you make a purchase. It's also import- ant to build up a strong network of like-minded people, experts, etc. The basic maxim for any collection should be quality over quantity. It's better to have five outstand- ing pieces than thirty mediocre ones. It can also help to narrow the focus of your collection. What do you consider to be the most important crite- rion when making a purchase? Only buy what you like. The joy of the objects should be the main focus. In this way you will always get pleasure from your collection, no matter what the fluctuations of the market might bring. 4 Joseph Chaumet (1852–1928). Allegory of winter. Signed J. Chaumet Joaillier-orfèvre Paris-Londres. H 65 cm. Estimate: CHF 50 000/70 000 5 4 3 5 A Louis XVI style ‘vase grec à rosettes’. France, 19 th century. H 105 cm, D 50 cm. Estimate: CHF 60 000/80 000