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Univers du Bronze
roger godchaux
Roger Godchaux (Vendôme 1878-1958 Paris) Toomai des éléphants or Le Retour de chasse au tigre (1928 or earlier) Circa 1932 H 57.5 x W 70.5 x D 22.7 cm Lifetime bronze signed 'Roger Godchaux' and numbered '2/15' Old edition by 'Susse Frères Éditeurs Paris' (mark and seal), inscribed 'cire perdue'
unforget Decorative Arts
line vautrin
Line Vautrin (Paris, 1913-1997) Crète de coq mirror, circa 1965 Talosel inlaid with mirror fragments H 50 x W 41.5 cm Diameter at sight of the central witch: 10 cm This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Line Vautrin Committee “Crète de Coq”, mirror in black Talosel inlaid with mirror fragments, by Line Vautrin. This convex “witch mirror” features a radiant decoration of incised Talosel inlaid with polychrome mirror tesserae in shades of red, gold, copper, and silver. The spiral composition evokes the bristling energy and dynamic movement of a cockscomb, its form at once organic and architectural. A rare and technically demanding creation, Crète de Coq exemplifies Vautrin’s experimental mastery of Talosel - a material she both discovered and transformed into a medium of pure artistic expression. In this piece, she chose a warm palette of reds, oranges, golden ambers, and bronzed tones, creating a striking contrast with the deep black of the Talosel structure. The frame itself unfolds in six spiraling curves, each extending into a series of radiant, gently curved points that seem to shimmer and vibrate with light. Singular within her oeuvre, this asymmetrical spiral composition differs from Vautrin’s more familiar series, revealing her ability to reinvent form and rhythm through subtle variations. Crète de Coq is not merely a mirror, but a luminous, poetic sculpture - an enchanting testament to Line Vautrin’s imagination and her genius for turning humble materials into magical, living art.
TEMPLON
Martial Raysse (Nice, 1936) Now, 2017 Acrylic on canvas 209 x 175.5 cm Unique Provenance: the artist’s studio Literature: exhibition catalogue Martial Raysse: œuvres récentes, Musée Paul Valéry, Sète, France; Ed. Loubatières 2023, ill. p. 151 Exhibition: Martial Raysse: œuvres récentes, Musée Paul Valéry, Sète France, 2023
N. Vrouyr
Kinheim rug Dutch rug produced in the workshops of Kinheim (Beverwijk), circa 1930, after 1926 Handknotted wool 530 x 405 cm Signed at the back 'KON. KINHEIM BEVERWYK' Provenance: Beverwijk, Holland Kinheim rugs, Beverwijk workshops, Holland (1910-1973) According to the trade register, Hendrik Godefridus Polvliet founded the carpet workshop “Kinheim” on September 1, 1910, at Zeestraat 104 in Beverwijk. The company was originally located on Vondellaan in Beverwijk, which at the time was called Spargielaan. His wife, Mrs. C.M. Polvliet–Van Hoogstraaten (1883–1966), had already started the handwoven carpet workshop “Kinheim” there in 1909. At first, carpets were woven by hand on a small scale. The couple became interested in carpet weaving during a stay in Morocco, where they lived for some time due to Mr. Polvliet’s health problems. Because of recurring asthma attacks, he had been advised to stay for extended periods in warm, dry climates. During this time, Mrs. Polvliet taught herself knotting and weaving techniques and drew many patterns. Initially, the carpets were sold to family and friends. Orders soon began to pour in, and thanks to Mrs. Polvliet–Van Hoogstraaten’s skill, the business grew rapidly. After just a year, in 1911, it moved to Zeestraat and employed about twelve girls. A major commission for 15 carpets for the Peace Palace in 1913 required a larger workshop. The couple had a 144-meter-long wooden workshop built behind their house at Zeestraat 104. This made it possible to weave large hand-knotted carpets behind the residence. Within ten years, the company was well known throughout the Netherlands for its quality and artistic originality. Their own designs, inspired by Oriental motifs, quickly found their way into ships, palaces, city halls, and council chambers. On May 19, 1926, the company was granted the title “Royal.” The founder did not live to see this honor, as he had died on June 17, 1923. His widow, Cornelia Maartina Polvliet–Van Hoogstraaten, continued the business under the new name “Royal Handwoven Carpet Workshop Kinheim.” In addition to private commissions, the company produced many carpets for Dutch passenger ships, such as the Johan de Witt (designed by Lion Cachet), the Nieuw Amsterdam, and many others. Municipal and provincial governments also commissioned important works. For instance, Kinheim carpets can be found in the council chamber of Amsterdam and in the council houses of Den Bosch, De Bilt, Enschede, Uithoorn, and Beverwijk, as well as in the provincial government buildings of Maastricht and Haarlem. In the latter, stair runners designed by Jo de Jong are among the works. Carpets were also supplied to offices such as those of the Netherlands Trading Society and the Shipping House. Highlights for the workshop included commissions from the Royal House. Kinheim made a dining room carpet for Soestdijk Palace designed by Mrs. Brom-Fischer and carpeting for the royal yacht Piet Hein. Notably, the Sultan of Deli (in 1938) and the Shah of Persia also placed orders with Kinheim. After an initial period of prosperity, the workshop suffered a setback due to World War I, but it flourished again in the 1920s. At that time, the many commissions provided employment for around 60 women and girls. During the economic crisis of the 1930s, the company survived by focusing on simpler techniques, producing the cheaper “konkit carpet,” woven with coarse knots and undyed materials. During World War II, the business, which had in 1941 passed into the hands of Mr. Keizer from Hilversum, came to a standstill. Work resumed after 1945 under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Mastenbroek. Many large commissions were once again completed for government buildings, ships, and businesses. The company then employed between 30 and 40 women on average, sometimes as many as 60. Later, changes in taste and economic conditions, particularly the decline in orders from shipping companies, caused a sharp drop in demand for hand-knotted carpets made with special patterns. These and even plain rugs were increasingly replaced by much cheaper, machine-made carpets. Kinheim completed its final commission in early 1973, and in April of that year, the Beverwijk workshop closed. Well-known designers who worked for Kinheim included Jac. van den Bosch, C.A. Lion Cachet, Theo Nieuwenhuis, and Dirk Verstraten. Kinheim was the only company in the Netherlands where carpets were knotted following the classical Oriental method. Each carpet required a vast number of working hours. The size of the carpet determined how many girls worked on it: a narrow runner or cushion cover was made by one girl, but a large carpet could involve 8 to 10 workers. The women ranged in age from 15 to 60. A carpet with 40 knots per square centimeter and a size of 2 by 3 meters contained about two and a half million knots. A skilled knotter made 5,000 to 8,000 knots a day, meaning that such a carpet required around 350 working days. The early carpets of the Kinheim Carpet Workshop (before 1926) were marked on the back with the words “Kinheim” and “Beverwijk,” along with an image of a swastika. After the company received the “Royal” title in 1926, the swastika mark was replaced by a crown or the abbreviation ‘KON.’.
Galerie Flak
Yipwon hook figure Korewori river, Papua New Guinea, 19th century or earlier (C-14 test) Carved wood H 200 cm Provenance: Merrin Gallery, New York; Californian artist Tony Berlant collection; acquired from the above in the 1980s; Michael Hamson collection, USA; Dr. Jean-Philippe Beaulieu collection, France; acquired from the previous in 2022
Art et Patrimoine - Laurence Lenne
Reliquary 'in the form of a sarcophagus with a hinged roof' Limoges, mid-13th century Gilt copper plates, champlevé enamels H 11.8 x W 27.5 x D 9.5 cm Literature: Inventaire général des monuments et des richesses artistiques de la France. Emaux limousins du Moyen Age. Correze/Creuse/Haute-Vienne, under the direction of Paul-Édouard Robinne, Éditions de l’Inventaire, Images du Patrimoine, 1995; Emaux de Limoges XIIè-XIXè siècle, under the direction of Jacques Toussaint, Museum of Ancient Arts of Namur, 1996; Valérie & Thomas Becket, De l'influence des princes Plantagenêt dans l'Oeuvre de Limoges, Municipal Museum of the Bishop’s Palace-Museum of Enamel, Limoges, 1999 A reliquary, without a wooden core, taking the shape of a sarcophagus with a hinged roof. It is made of gilt copper plates and decorated with champlevé enamels depicting sixteen half-length angels emerging from clouds against a white enamel background. The decoration consists of two superimposed registers of three engraved gilt angels set within round medallions. The medallions stand out against a blue enamel ground adorned with gilded Gothic foliage and interlace patterns. This reliquary belongs to a series of standardised reliquaries known from the Limousin region, all dating from the 13th century. Its dimensions make it one of the largest examples of this 'sarcophagus with movable roof' type. It is closely related to the exceptional large reliquary of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, classified as part of the Treasure of the French Historic Monuments.
Van Herck-Eykelberg
Asger Jorn (Denmark, Jutland 1914-1973 Aarhus) The girl and the bird, 1940 Oil on canvas 44 x 69 cm Signed and dated lower right Literature: Guy Atkins, Jorn in Scandinavia 1930-1953, London, 1968, n° 156, ill. p. 333 Exhibitions: 13 kunstnere i telt, Bellevue, Copenhagen, 17 May-8 June 1941, cat. n° 61; Jorn, Arken Museum for Moderne Kunst, Ishøj, Denmark, 14 September 2002-19 January 2003, Cobra Museum voor Moderne Kunst, Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 7 February-27 April 2003 and Kunsthalle zu Kiel, Germany, 17 May-10 August 2003, cat. n° 8, ill. cat. p. 56 (in colour); Jorn-Picasso. Myter og Møder. Myths & Meetings', Museum Jorn, Silkeborg, 7 September-8 December 2013, cat. n° 6, ill. cat. p. 72 (in colour); Cobra Museum voor Moderne kunst, Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 2013
COLNAGHI
Gillis Neyts (Ghent 1623-1687 Antwerp) A winter cityscape of Antwerp, 1666 Oil on panel 54 x 86 cm Signed and dated lower left: g. nyts. f. / 1666 Provenance: sale Fievez, Brussels (16 June 1931), lot 113; sale of the F. Stuyck collection, Brussels, Palais des Beaux-Arts (7-8 December 1960), lot 91; Galerie P. de Boer, Amsterdam (1961) n° 54; Laboratoria Tupens, Sint-Niklaas (?); with Rafael Valls, London; with De Jonckheere, from whom acquired by the present owner Literature: P. Gustot, Gillis Neyts. Un paysagiste brabançon en vallée mosane au XVIIe siècle, Namur, 2008, p. 69, n° P13, repr. Exhibition: Brussels, Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Le siècle de Rubens, 15 October-12 December 1965, n° 157, repr.
Floris van Wanroij Fine Art
rombout ‘pauli’ pauwels
Rombout ‘Pauli’ Pauwels (Mechelen circa 1625-1692 Ghent) The Virgin and Child Terracotta, sculpted on full round (contains restorations) H 52.5 x W 24 x D 23.5 cm Provenance: the Hulshoff Pol collection, Wassenaar, The Netherlands Literature: Neeffs, E. (1879), Histoire de la peinture et de la sculpture à Malines, Ghent, Vol. II, pp. 193-200; Nieuwdorp, H. (1977), De beeldhouwkunst in de eeuw van Rubens in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden en het prinsbisdom Luik, Brussels: KMKG, pp. 325-327 nrs. 294-298, p. 140, n° 103; Jacobs, A. & Vézilier, S. (2011), Fascination baroque: la sculpture baroque flamande dans les collections publiques françaises, Paris, pp. 116-121
Galerie Capazza
Goudji (Georgia, Bordjomi 1941) Oryx à la robe diaprée, 2025 Silver 1st title, serpentine, pyrite, crystal, Armour stone H 49 x W 38 x D 10 cm Provenance: the artist's studio Exhibition: Goudji, L'or du temps, 5 July-28 September 2025, Galerie Capazza (France) This oryx, with its serpentine goatee and crystal-adorned tail, is an African antelope. It sports horns and a coat draped in Armour stone, and wears a silver bell around its pyrite neck, ready to ring. 'When viewing Goudji's works, one is overcome by a disturbing feeling, that of being faced with original, powerful, dazzling masterpieces that delicately resonate with so many symbols that shape our visual culture and our common heritage, from Persia to Athens, from Babylon to Rome, from the Tigris to the Danube, winged griffins of malachite and lapis lazuli, birds with bold and daring beaks, reassuring ex-votos, kantharoi and cups worthy of banquets of the gods. Modest, always secretive, born into goldsmithing because he ardently wanted to be, constantly devoted to his craft, constantly exploring forms, constantly telling stories, Goudji has definitely entered into history.' by Olivier Gabet, 2025 (General Curator of Heritage and Art Historian - Director of the Department of Decorative Arts at the Louvre Museum)
Herwig Simons Fine Arts
Game box with chess and backgammon Eger, 17th century 48 x 48 x 11.5 cm Provenance: Lothar Schmid (1928-2013), German chess Grandmaster Literature: publications World of Art: Art chamber games by the Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna Double-sided game box : one side shows a bas-relief depicting the meeting of Aeneas and Dido, accompanied by a Putto. The other side features a chessboard in finely executed marquetry. The interior reveals an elegant backgammon board decorated with double-tailed dolphins. Eger, a Bohemian Free City (now Cheb, Czech Republic), was well known in the 17th century for a specialised type of woodworking, particularly for intarsia panels. This set belonged to Lothar Schmid, the German chess Grandmaster and collector of chess books, boards and pieces. He is best known as the chief arbiter of the World Championship of chess in 1972 between Bobby Fisher and Boris Spassky in Reykjavik.
Galerie Alexis Pentcheff
maurice utrillo
Maurice Utrillo (Paris 1883-1955 Dax) Belle Gabrielle, Montmartre, circa 1912-1914 Oil and gesso on cardboard mounted on panel, signed lower right 41 x 55.5 cm Provenance: London, Christie’s sale, 23 June 2004, lot n° 267; European private collection; Galerie Alexis Pentcheff; private collection, France. Literature: Jean Fabris and Cédric Paillier, L’œuvre complet de Maurice Utrillo, Paris, 2009, repr. n° 332, p. 396; Maurice Utrillo, exhibition catalogue, Tokyo, Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Museum of Art, 2010, n° 1, p. 142 (ill. in colour in the section 'Works reproduced as archives') Exhibitions: Centenary of the Birth of Maurice Utrillo, Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, May-August 1983, no. 13 (travelling exhibition to Liège, Musée Saint-Georges, and to Lille, Fondation Septentrion in Marcq-en-Barœul, until 15 January 1984); Maurice Utrillo, Tokyo, then Osaka, Kyoto, and Yamaguchi, Japan, 1 November 1985-5 May 1986, n° 17 (ill. cat. in colour); Maurice Utrillo: Solitude Urbaine, Galerie Alexis Pentcheff, Marseille, 22 September-4 November 2017, n° 3 (ill. cat. in colour)
Objects With Narratives
ben storms
Ben Storms (Ghent, 1983) Crushed room divider, 2024 H 195 x W 160 x D 45 cm Stainless steel, gold leaf Provenance: the artist's studio The purpose of this volume is deliberately ambiguous. The object is primarily sculptural, a monumental entity that redefines a space. Yet in doing so, it also reveals its potential function. In the way that the work structures a space, it turns out to be a divider that demarcates and defines compartments or areas. The starting point for this room divider and sculpture is essentially a provisional form. A composition of several sheets of metal welded together with air in between - think of Ben’s In Hale series, but in a different sense. The actual form is then created by subjecting this makeshift composition to external forces, crushing the surfaces until the volume finds its current state.
Galerie de la Présidence
Nicolas de Staël (Saint Petersbourg 1913-1955 Antibes) Composition, 1949 Oil on canvas 38 x 46 cm Signed lower left Provenance: Henriette Gomès collection, Paris; private collection, Paris; private collection, Luxembourg Literature: J-P Jouffroy, Nicolas de Staël, p. 161; Jacques Dubourg and Françoise de Staël, Nicolas de Staël, Catalogue Raisonné des peintures, ed. Le temps, Paris, n° 195, p. 121; Françoise de Staël, Nicolas de Staël, Catalogue Raisonné des peintures, ed. Ides et Calendres, Switzerland, n° 189, p. 259; Françoise de Staël, Nicolas de Staël, Catalogue Raisonné des peintures, ed. Ides et Calendres, Switzerland, revised and expanded by Marie du Bouchet and Gustave de Staël, n° 189, p. 209 Exhibition: Nicolas de Staël, Musée Réattu, Arles, June-September 1958, n° 18 The year 1949 was a crucial period for Nicolas de Staël: he continued to explore and refine his style, marking an important transition towards painting that would become more fluid and expressive. Among his notable works this year is this 'Composition', which reflects his continued use of thick layers of paint and his extensive play with materials, moving from impasto to knife painting. For Nicolas de Staël, although abstract his paintings are 'images of life', his coloured masses generate vibrations. Lastly, this painting has always been kept in private hands until now, and was never presented at auctions.
