Auction: Thu 22 Apr 2021
Exhibition: Fri 16 Apr 2021 - Wed 21 Apr 2021
1334 York Avenue, NY 10021 A Vision: The Collection of Michelle Smith
Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
22 April 2021 | New York | full auction details
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Sotheby’s is honored to present A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith on 22 April 2021 in New York. The extraordinary collection of the late philanthropist features numerous masterpieces of the 20th and 21st Century spanning Design, Fine Art, and Jewelry. Guided by her passion and discerning eye, Michelle Smith amassed a collection that is as elegant, sophisticated, and eclectic as the collector herself with the same commitment to excellence that resonated across every area of her life. Led by outstanding masterpieces by some of the most renowned artists of the past century, the collection brings together works across a number of stylistic periods and regions, from European and American Art Nouveau and Art Deco to Mid-century and Contemporary. Legendary artists and designers represented include François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Jean-Michel Frank, Louis Majorelle, Pierre Chareau, Eugène Printz, Jean Besnard, Lucie Rie and Tiffany Studios, among others. The result is a spectacular and diverse dialogue in materials, genres and artistic practices assembled by a true connoisseur, whose unique personal style is reflected in each individual work. In that spirit, the collection also showcases a robust ensemble of fine art anchored by contemporary works by Antony Gormley, Edmund de Waal, Alexander Calder and Olga de Amaral.
Michelle Smith’s vision is epitomized in her jewelry collection, telling the story of a woman who, when she decided she liked a certain style or maker, explored and collected in depth. Assembled over the course of decades, the collection features impressive jewels from some of the world’s most lauded and established firms, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Suzanne Belperron, and René Boivin, as well as contemporary masters such as Hemmerle and Graff. She collected with purpose and cohesion, zeroing in on iconic designs such as Bulgari “Monete”, Van Cleef & Arpels “Snowflakes” and “Hexagone”, and Boivin “Fishscale.” Her jewelry spoke to her style and grace and serves as a natural extension of the highly curated and refined aesthetic she applied to her collections of Fine Art and Design. Michelle Smith was a trailblazing businesswoman, arts patron and philanthropist. The daughter of the late renowned businessman and philanthropist Robert H. Smith and artist Clarice Smith, she became one of the Washington D.C. area’s most respected figures, known for her generous spirit, exacting eye and fierce dedication to championing myriad artistic, cultural and health organizations, as well as educational institutions. Michelle brought to life her passion for art, architecture and design in her stunning penthouse apartment at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, where true to her background in real estate and visionary spirit, she undertook a multi-year development in transforming two separate and raw living spaces into the impeccably appointed home that showcased the breadth of her timeless collection. Alongside the live auction, an online sale of jewelry, design, and an impressive ensemble of Hermès handbags will be open for bidding from 16-27 April. We invite you to explore the exciting range of offerings in the Online Sale.
Following the guidelines for the Phase Four reopening of Manhattan, we are able to accommodate clients in our building by appointment only. The exhibition for this sale will open on Friday, April 16 and will close on Wednesday, April 21 at 5PM. To schedule an appointment please click here or contact appointmentsNY@sothebys.comor +1 212 606 7171. You can read more about our safety requirements here.
For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:+1 212 606 7414bids.newyork@sothebys.com
For all enquiries please contact:
20TH CENTURY DESIGN
Jodi PollackSenior Vice President, Co-Worldwide Head, New York+1 212 606 7170jodi.pollack@sothebys.com
Marine HartogsVice President Senior Specialist, New York+1 212 606 7170marine.hartogs@sothebys.com
Katherine WallaceAssistant Vice President, Head of Sale, New York+1 212 606 7170katherine.wallace@sothebys.com
Louis SoulardAssociate Specialist, New York+1 212 606 7170 louis.soulard@sothebys.com
Adelle BortzSale Administrator, New York+1 212 606 7170adelle.bortz@sothebys.com
Carina VillingerConsultant, New York+1 212 606 7170carina.villinger.consultant@sothebys.com
Florent JeanniardSenior Director Head of 20th Century Design Europe, Paris+33 1 53 05 52 69florent.jeanniard@sothebys.com
Laetitia Contat DesfontainesDirector, Head of Sale, London+44 (0)20 7293 5568l.contatdesfontaines@sothebys.com
CONTEMPORARY ART
Julian EhrlichAssociate Specialist, New York+1 212 606 7254julian.ehrlich@sothebys.com
LATIN AMERICAN ART
Anna Di StasiSenior Vice President, Director, Latin American Art, New York+1 212 606 7513anna.distasi@sothebys.com
IMPRESSIONIST & MODERN ART
Scott NiichelSenior Vice President, Co-Head of Department, New York+1 212 606 7360scott.niichel@sothebys.com
Danny ZhangAssociate Specialist, New York+1 212 606 7360danny.zhang@sothebys.com
JEWELRYFrank EverettSenior Vice President, Sales Director New York+1 212 606 7392frank.everett@sothebys.com
Quig BruningSenior Vice President, Head of Department, New York+1 212 606 7392quig.bruning@sothebys.com
Catharine BecketSenior Vice President, Head of Magnificent Jewels, New York+1 212 606 7392catharine.becket@sothebys.com
Joanna PollackAssociate Cataloguer, New York+1 212 606 7392joanna.pollack@sothebys.com
SILVERJohn WardSenior Vice President, Head of Department, New York+1 212 606 7160john.ward@sothebys.com
AFRICAN & OCEANIC ARTAlexander GroganVice President, Head of Department, New York+1 212 894 1312alexander.grogan@sothebys.com
Please note that as of August 1st 2020, Overhead Premium, a fee payable by all auction buyers in our global salerooms and online sales, will be charged at 1% of the hammer price plus any applicable local taxes. It is an allocation of the overhead costs relating to our facilities, property handling and other administrative expenses. This fee and our Buyer’s Premium rates exclude local taxes and any applicable artist’s resale right.
Rubel Frères Diamond Clip-Brooch, France
more detailsAlberto Giacometti Ceiling Light
more detailsDiego Giacometti Pair of "Fondation Maeght" Side Chairs
more detailsOlga de Amaral Bosque III & IV
more detailsGeorges de Feure Chaise Longue
more detailsEugène Gaillard Pair of Side Chairs
more detailsFrançois-Xavier Lalanne Mouton de Laine
more detailsLucie Rie Vase
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Vase
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Vase
more detailsPhilip and Kelvin LaVerne "Eternal Forest" Center Table
more detailsAlexandre Noll "Croix" Sculpture
more detailsAlexandre Noll Sculpture
more detailsAlexandre Noll Sculpture
more detailsAlexandre Noll Bowl
more detailsAlexandre Noll Necklace
more detailsCatherine Noll Pendant
more detailsLynn Chadwick Walking Couple II
more detailsDiego Giacometti "Berceau" Low Table, Première Version
more detailsClaude Lalanne “Crocodile” Armchair
more detailsPierre Chareau Pair of “Curule en M” Stools, Model No. SN1
more detailsEugène Printz Table-Bibliothèque
more detailsAlexandre Noll Handled Bowl
more detailsAlexandre Noll Vide Poche
more detailsAlexandre Noll Covered Box
more detailsClaude Lalanne Unique Choupatte
more detailsEugène Printz Pair of Sconces
more detailsFélix Vallotton Le Bain (Vallotton & Goerg 149)
more detailsSuzanne Ramie Coupe
more detailsPaul Dupré-Lafon Pair of Side Tables
more detailsJean-Michel Frank Cabinet
more detailsJean Dunand Vase
more detailsClaudius Linossier Vase
more detailsAlexander Calder Red Pennant
more detailsTiffany Studios "Turtle-Back" Jardinière
more detailsÉmile Decœur Vase
more detailsAntony Gormley Stand III
more detailsDiego Giacometti Bench
more detailsAlexander Calder Les Ailes brisées (maquette)
more detailsLouis Majorelle “Nénuphars” Occasional Table
more detailsAlberto Giacometti "Trépied à Feuilles" Table Lamp, Première Version
more detailsAndré Groult "Bloc de Cristal" Table Lamp
more detailsEugène Printz Side Table
more detailsEdmund de Waal A Guide for the Perplexed
more detailsLouis Majorelle Two-Tiered Table
more detailsTiffany Studios "Poppy" Table Lamp
more detailsTiffany Studios "Arrowheads" Jardinière
more detailsTiffany Studios "Pond Lily" Table Mirror
more detailsClaude Lalanne Unique Structure Végétale Candelabra
more detailsCharles Plumet and Tony Selmersheim Dining Suite
more detailsMaria Pergay Console de Jardin
more detailsChristo The Umbrellas (joint project for Japan and USA)
more detailsChristo The Pont Neuf Wrapped: Project for Paris
more detailsKathy Taslitz Three "Family Chain" Candelabras
more detailsSylvain Subervie Unique "Orage" Chandelier
more detailsEdmund de Waal Lebensstürme
more detailsJules Leleu Cabinet, Model No. 4930
more detailsVenetian-Style Glass Mirror
more detailsAlberto Giacometti “Égyptienne” Table Lamp
more detailsWiener Werkstätte Hinged Box
more detailsLine Vautrin "La Mer" Vide Poche
more detailsLine Vautrin "Vis" Bracelet
more detailsFrançois-Xavier Lalanne Mouton de Laine
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsCerith Wyn Evans Just play me two bars of stardust
more detailsLouis Majorelle "Junko" Writing Desk
more detailsGeorges de Feure Armchair
more detailsTiffany Studios Three Desk Set Articles
more detailsÉmile Gallé “Hortensia” Table Lamp
more detailsAndré Groult Pair of Side Chairs
more detailsDiego Giacometti Table Racine au Grand Duc
more detailsTor Wolfenstein Sofa
more detailsTiffany Studios "Dogwood" Table Lamp
more detailsGabriel Argy-Rousseau “Chrysanthèmes” Vase
more detailsLouis Majorelle Armoire
more detailsLouis Majorelle Two-Tiered Occasional Table
more detailsTiffany Studios "Dragonfly" Table Lamp
more detailsEdward Colonna Bench
more detailsTiffany Studios Eighteen-Light "Lily" Table Lamp
more detailsLouis Majorelle "Butomées" Two-Tiered Tea Table
more detailsLucie Rie Bowl
more detailsEdouard Vuillard Paysages et Intérieurs (Roger-Marx 31-43)
more detailsPierre Bonnard Quelques aspects de la vie de Paris (Roger-Marx 56-68; Bouvet 58-70)
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsAndré Borderie Centerpiece
more detailsElisabeth Frink Seated Baboon
more detailsAfrican Artist Stool
more detailsMajd Bazerji Set of Four "C" Bar Stools
more detailsAdo Chale Low Table
more detailsJean Besnard Two-Handled Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Bowl
more detailsJean Besnard Vide Poche
more detailsJean Besnard Footed Coupe
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsOsvaldo Borsani Desk
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Two-Handled Vase
more detailsChuma Maweni Three "Imbizo" Stools
more detailsTiffany Studios Pair of Jeweled "Turtle Back" Candlesticks
more detailsMano Artist, Liberia Mask for the Poro Secret Society
more detailsAndré Borderie Coupe
more detailsAndré Borderie, Véra Szekely and Pierre Szekely Coupe
more detailsDiego Giacometti "Tête de Lion" Armchair
more detailsFrançois-Xavier Lalanne Bélier I
more detailsFrançois-Xavier Lalanne Bélier I
more detailsClaude Lalanne Pair of "Ginkgo" Side Chairs
more detailsClaude Lalanne "Ginkgo" Low Table
more detailsClaude Lalanne "Williamsburg" Armchair
more detailsFrançois-Xavier Lalanne Pigeons de Southampton I & II
more detailsLaurence Montano Sofa
more detailsLaurence Montano Pair of Armchairs
more detailsLaurence Montano Pair of Side Chairs
more detailsLaurence Montano Unique Low Table
more detailsGeorges Jouve Vase
more detailsLaurence Montano Dining Suite
more detailsJean Besnard Vase
more detailsJean Besnard Footed Platter
more detailsGeorges Jouve Vide Poche
more detailsPol Chambost Pitcher
more detailsDenyse Gatard Vase
more detailsPol Chambost Vase
more detailsCarl Fabergé A Set of Silver-Gilt Cake Knives and Forks
more detailsPuiforcat A French Silver "Rochambeau" Flatware Service
more detailsPuiforcat A French Silver "Elysee" Flatware Service
more detailsGeorge Jensen A Danish Silver Four-Piece "Cosmos" Tea and Coffee Set with Similar Tray No. 2E
more detailsGeorge Jensen A Danish Silver Three-Piece Assembled Coffee Set with Similar Tray
more detailsHemmerle Three Flower Pots
more detailsHemmerle Six Flower Pots
more detailsHemmerle Aluminum and Fancy Deep Brownish Greenish Yellow Diamond Ring
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Ancient Coin and Colored Diamond Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Brass and Colored Diamond Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Copper and Tourmaline Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Wood and Garnet Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Copper and Colored Diamond Rings
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Copper and Carnelian Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Bronze and Fossilized Sea Urchin Necklace
more detailsHemmerle Brass, Wood, Peridot, and Tourmaline Cuff-Bracelet
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Yellow Sapphire and Emerald Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Wood, Amber and Colored Diamond Necklace
more detailsHemmerle Copper and Garnet Ring
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Copper, Topaz and Colored Diamond Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Wood and Colored Diamond Cuff-Bracelet
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Colored Diamond and Gem-Set Pendant-Earclips
more detailsHemmerle Antique Walrus Teeth, Quartz and Carnelian Bead Necklace
more detailsHemmerle Bronze and Colored Diamond Ring
more detailsHemmerle Pair of Copper and Diamond Earstuds
more detailsHemmerle Cultured Pearl, Diamond and 'Isar River Pebble' Necklace and Pair of Earclips
more detailsSuzanne Belperron Gold and Gem-Set Clip-Brooch, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond Bracelet, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Pair of Gold and Diamond Earclips and Clip-Brooch, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold, Diamond and Enamel 'Ludo Hexagone' Bracelet, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond 'Ludo Hexagone' Clip, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and diamond bracelet, France
more detailsRené Boivin Pair of Gold and Aquamarine 'Fishscale' Earclips, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond Necklace-Bracelet Combination, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Pair of Gold and Diamond 'Snowflake' Clip-Brooches, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold, Cultured Pearl and Diamond Necklace-Bracelet Combination
more detailsCartier Pair of Gold and Diamond Bracelets, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Pair of Gold Bracelets, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond Sautoir
more detailsTwo Gold Bracelets, France, One by Cartier
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold Necklace-Bracelet Combination
more detailsCartier Five Gold Bangle-Bracelets
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Gold and Diamond 'Chevalerie' Necklace-Bracelet Combination and Pair of Earclips
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Pair of Gold Earclips, France
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Pair of Gold 'Manchette' Cuff-Bracelets
more detailsBulgari Three-Color Gold and Antique Coin 'Monete' Bracelet
more detailsBulgari Gold and Antique Coin 'Monete' Bracelet
more detailsBulgari Pair of Gold and Antique Coin 'Monete' Earclips
more detailsBulgari Gold and Antique Coin 'Monete' Necklace
more detailsGraff Cultured Pearl and Diamond Necklace
more detailsGraff Pair of Diamond Earclips
more detailsGraff Pair of Diamond Earclips
more detailsPair of Diamond and Colored Diamond Earclips
more detailsGraff Cultured Pearl and Diamond Necklace
more detailsDiamond, Colored Diamond and Sapphire Ring
more detailsDiamond Longchain
more detailsPair of Diamond Earstuds
more detailsGraff Diamond 'Wave' Pendant-Necklace
more detailsGraff Pair of Diamond and Colored Diamond 'Gypsy' Pendant-Earclips
more detailsGraff Pair of Diamond Pendant-Earclips
more detailsVan Cleef & Arpels Pair of Diamond Clips, France
more detailsCartier Pair of Diamond Clips
more details