London / Paris / New York – Building on the success of the inaugural international edition of The Collector online, in London, Paris and New York in April 2023, Christie’s is collaborating with the French artist and designer Alexandre Benjamin Navet as the tastemaker for the first of two Collector auction series in 2024. Navet has created an ‘edit’ of his favourite lots in each of the three sales. Selling concurrently in the three cities, this iteration of The Collector comprises more than 700 lots in total, showcasing important decorative arts from the 16^th to the 20^th centuries, including European, English and 19^th century furniture and works of art, silver, ceramics, glass, clocks and gold boxes. These sales highlight the enduring craftsmanship and beauty of exceptional works of art which can be enjoyed in homes of all periods and styles. The upcoming sales will open for browsing on 5 April; open for bidding on 10 April; and close on 23 April in London, 24 April in Paris and 25 April in New York. Estimates range from lots offered with no reserve up to €70,000-100,000/ $77,000-110,000 / £61,000-86,000.

Alexandre Benjamin Navet commented: "I feel a profound passion for objects, forms and distinctive craftsmanship. I have always been fascinated and astonished by the incredible decorative arts that Christie’s offers and so it has been a joy to select my favorite six works from each of The Collector sales, in Paris, London and New York. So many extraordinary pieces, it has been like a treasure hunt!”

Nick Sims, Christie’s Global Managing Director, Classic Art, commented: “It is with great pride that we present this international edition of The Collector for the second year. I am thrilled that this innovative evolution of The Collector has been welcomed by new and existing collectors, dealers and decorators, who have embraced the enhanced buying experience spanning the full breadth and depth of works offered; the equivalent series in April last year welcoming 15% new buyers and 14% Millennial new bidders and buyers. It is wonderful to be collaborating with Alexandre Benjamin Navet as our ‘tastemaker’ this season, bringing his own inimitable eye and fresh take on the opportunities these sales present to live with and enjoy exquisite craftsmanship.

THE TASTEMAKER

The artist and designer Alexandre Benjamin Navet trained in Industrial Design, at ENSCI Les Ateliers in Paris. With colour at the centre of his work, he creates interiors, paintings and sculptures. Having recently moved his studio to a new space in the forest south of Paris, he works surrounded by art books and says that his working and living environment are very important to what he creates. With a great love for vases, pots and plinths, Navet explains that such objects are like characters in his drawings and act as characters in an interior. Inspired by artists such as Shirley Jaffe, Fernand Léger, Christian Bérard, André Derain, and Jean Dubuffet, Navet is continually impressed by the craftsmanship of different artisans he meets as he continues to make new discoveries.

THE TASTEMAKER'S AESTHETIC APPROACH

“I am driven by the power of colour and I love the notion of interior exterior in my compositions and in my own interior” explains Navet. “My advice would be: do not hesitate to create surprise and unexpected connections, select pieces that take you away from reality! Take your time to find the perfect companions but once you feel like you have found one, just follow your instinct. I love leaving space to spontaneity, on my sketches but also when it comes to collecting. In sharing lot photography of my favourite six works from each location’s sale I have also incorporated drawings of two other works from the other sales, to highlight the natural ‘dialogue’ between the works in the international series as a whole.” 

For lot info of the works featured in Navet’s London edit, New York edit and Paris edit please see Notes to Editors

LONDON – The Collector

“My favourite lot in the London sale is this Louis XVI polished steel lit à baldaquin (bed). I am always fascinated by this type of object. I like the fact that this example is particularly architectural.”

PARIS – The Collector: Le Goût Français

"In Paris it is the miniature silver table service which captivates me most, due to its very unexpected scale and sophistication.”

NEW YORK – The Collector

"The Chinese export enamel hexagonal lantern in the form of a pagoda has incredibly detailed decoration. I see it as a ‘nomadic’ object that can be moved from one room to another.”

OVER 400 YEARS OF COLLECTIVE EXPERTISE:

Christie’s specialists working on The Collector sales in London, New York and Paris collectively share more than 400 years of expertise among them. The Decorative Arts are fundamental to the DNA of Christie’s.

More information about the sales will be available soon at christies.com/thecollector