Press Release London

For Immediate Release

London | +44 (0)20 7293 6000 | Matthew Weigman | Matthew.Weigman@sothebys.com Leyla Daybelge | Leyla.Daybelge@sothebys.com | Mitzi Mina | Mitzi.Mina@Sothebys.com Paris | Sophie Dufresne | +33 (0)153 05 53 66

SOTHEBYS LONDON TO OFFER THE COLLECTION OF PRINCE AND PRINCESS HENRY DE LA TOUR DAUVERGNE LAURAGUAIS ON MAY 3rd 2012 The Aristocratic Auction of Furniture, Decorative Arts and Paintings includes Drawings and Books from the Library of the Princes Uncle, Renowned Designer and Architect Emilio Terry

Prince Henry de la Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais and Emilio Terry

SOTHEBYS LONDON will offer for sale The Collection of Prince and Princess Henry de La Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais on 3rd May 2012. The auction comprises property from the familys London homes. It will include very fine Neo-classical and Empire furniture, the finest collection of 18th century scagliola to appear at auction, Old Master paintings, silver, objets de vertu, and drawings and books from the library of celebrated designer and architect Emilio Terry from Chteau de Rochecotte. Estimates in the sale range from 400 to 300,000. In total, the auction is estimated to realise 2-4 million.

The history of the de La Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais family is a long and distinguished one. Related by marriage to the noblest dynasties in France, it is one of only six families (alongside the houses of Savoie, Lorraine, Grimaldi, Rohan and La Tremoille) to be granted the rights and privileges accorded to foreign princes. Mario Tavella, Deputy Chairman, Sothebys Europe commented: It is an honour for Sothebys to be entrusted with this wonderful collection from one of Frances greatest and most glamorous families. Collectors will be delighted with the quality and breadth of items on offer, which together exude a very chic look. Emilio Terry was at the heart of avant-garde circles in 1920s Paris and many of the books in his library reflect his intimate relationship with key figures such as Henri Matisse and Salvador Dali. More than that, his passionate interest in architecture is manifest in the host of important architectural books that he owned, as well as in his own fabulous and often fantastical drawings.
FURNITURE

The sale includes museum quality Neo-classical and Empire furniture by some of the greatest French benistes, including Jacob and Joseph. The group is headlined by a magnificent gilt-bronze mounted amaranth and tulip wood secrtaire by Joseph, circa 1770, which, with its very strong neo-classical outline, represents the pinnacle of Le Got Grec style. Estimated at 150,000-300,000*, an identical secrtaire is held in the Getty Museum in Malibu. For further examples of the exceptional pieces in the collection, please see page five.

SCAGLIOLA The sale will present the greatest collection of 18th century scagliola ever to come to the market. Developed in 17th century Tuscany as an alternative to the costly marble inlays of pietra dura, scagliola is an extraordinarily complex technique, often used to produce decorative effects resembling inlays in marble and semi-precious stones. The technique is a particular passion of Princess Anne de La Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais, who is an expert in the field. The sale will offer eight rare scagliola panels by virtuoso

craftsmen Enrico Hugford and Lamberto Christiano Gori, which depict seascapes and marine scenes inspired by the Tuscan coast. Princess Anne de La Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais commented: "It was my father, Prince Henry who inspired me to study the art of scagliola, and in turn it was my father's uncle Emilio Terry who also truly appreciated this form of art and who had influenced him. In my father's opinion, scagliola had a refinement of colour, texture and sensuality softened as if dimmed by a veil of fog, not like pietre dure which could be bright and almost screaming with colour. Scagliola is a man-made stone, not meant to be used outside, but to live with.... I followed his advice and am indebted to him for giving me a life-long love for the art of scagliola."

A pair of Italian C18th scagliola panels by Enrico Hugford, est. 20,000-30,000.

EMILIO TERRYS DRAWINGS AND BOOKS

Emilio Terry (1890-1969), the maternal uncle and mentor of Prince Henry de La Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais, was a well-known designer, artist and architect. He was a member of the 1930s Parisian avant-garde, and in 1936, his work was exhibited alongside Salvador Dali and Meret Oppenheim at the Fantastical Art, Dada and Surrealism exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Many of his designs are now held at the Muse des Arts Decoratif in Paris. Renowned for his magnificent library at Chteau de Rochecotte, the sale presents part of Emilio Terrys collection of architectural books and livres dartistes from the Chteau, which were passed down to the de La Tour dAuvergne Lauraguais family by descent. A selection of Emilio Terrys architectural drawings and paintings (below) ranging in estimate from 1,000 to 8,000 will also be offered for sale.

Highlights from Emilio Terrys library include a near complete set of the first Paris edition, 1800-1807, of Giovanni Battista and Francesco Piranesis works, (29 works in 27 volumes) estimated at 150,000240,000. Giovanni Battista Piranesis much admired prints of Rome contributed considerably to the growth of the Neo-classical movement in art and architecture. His depictions of the drama and romantic grandeur of ancient Rome and his technical mastery make his works some of the most original and impressive representations of architecture found in Western art.

The largest known version of Antoine Ignace Mellings Voyage pittoresque de Constantinople et des rives du Bosphore to have been offered at auction, is estimated to realise 20,000-30,000. Published in Paris in 1819, the grandest book of engraved views of Constantinople contains the earliest interior views and plans of the harem and palaces of Sultan Selim III. The exhibition of Mellings original paintings for the Voyage pittoresque earned him the title of Painter to the Empress Josephine. A selection of Emilio Terrys livres dartistes includes: George Braques illustrated Hesiod by Thogonie, Paris, 1955, number 12 of 150 copies, estimated at 5,000-7,000 (below left) and Henri Matisses illustrated Pomes de Charles dOrlans (below right), estimated at 1,500-2,000.

The sale will also include a selection of other items integral to the daily lives of this great aristocratic family: porcelain, silver, glass, linen, jewellery, clocks, objets de vertu and paintings, medals, orders and Cardinals regalia. In particular, lots 43, 62, 63, 138 and 139 have the provenance of Chteau de Rochecotte, the magnificent late 18th century chteau bought by Emilio Terry from his brother-in-law Stanislas de Castellane in 1934.

A Carved Mahogany Fauteuil De Bureau Stamped G. Jacob, Louis XVI, c. 1790, Estimate: 12,00018,000

A Carved Mahogany Desk Armchair Stamped Jacob Frres Rue Mesle, After a Design by Charles Percier Convention, 1792-97, Estimate: 20,000-30,000

Three Gilt-Bronze and Green Painted Tle Chandeliers in Empire Style, 20th Century Estimate: 80,000-12,000

A Pair of Carved Mahogany Armchairs, one stamped Barreau. Charles X, c. 1830 together with a French upholstered small sofa and four matching curtains with four gilt metal acorn finials, the fabric designed by Emilio Terry Estimate: 2,500-4,000

A Mahogany Caned Armchair, Louis Philippe, c. 1840 together with a pair of rattan and bamboo chairs, 20th century, after an Emilio Terry design Estimate: 1,000-1,500

A Collection of Jewels, comprising: a gold bell inscribed DAuvergne De La Tour; a crucifix with French assay marks; and a ring with an oval portrait miniature on ivory framed by circular-cut diamonds and set onto a purple enamel background. Estimate: 1,500-2,000

A three-colour gold snuff box inset with an earlier enamel miniature of Henry de La Tour dAuvergne, Vicomte de Turenne, by Jean Petitot Senior, Paris, circa 1670, makers mark of Pierre Mathis de Beaulieu, Paris, 1780. Estimate: 60,000 80,000

A Pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, designed by Emilio Terry, together with a packet of 22 loose French-cut sapphires Estimate: 4,000-6,000

A Portuguese silver Sugar Caster in the Form of a Walrus, David Ferreira, Oporto, Mid-20th Century Together with a silvered metal model of a standing bear Estimate: 500-800

French School, Late 17th Century A still life with various fruits in a basket and on a ledge, flowers in a vase, musical instruments and a monkey with a flute, oil on canvas Estimate: 20,000 30,000

*Estimates do not include buyers premium Images available via email