Attributed to Alexis Decaix (1778-1811)
An ormolu and mahogany speckled inkwell
Sold €10,400
Mathieu-Ignace Van Brée Antwerp (1773-1839)
Presentation of the King of Rome to the City of Ghent
Sold for €28,600
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Rare snuffbox of the present
With the cipher of Emperor Napoleon I
In its original case
Sold for €48,100

French Empire

« The Art Object is, in itself, the ambassador of an era: it embodies its customs, its taste. Paying tribute to it is the least we can do, and it is one of the essential aspects of our profession. »

— Grégoire de Thoury

The Market

In order to respond to the market request, we decided in 2020 to organise biannual sales dedicated to the Empire Period, which offered us pieces of remarkable quality, whether pictorial, ornamental or architectural.

The first sale entirely dedicated to this flourishing period in French History, marked by Napoleon Bonaparte, produced an excellent result. A rare snuff box with the Emperor Napoleon I’s number was the most beautiful bid sold for 48,100 euros.

Collectors of this period in history are well-known to the Aguttes Auction House. Beyond objects or representations from the era, they are primarily in search of testimonies, everyday items, or historical memorabilia.

The Great Names of the Empire Era

On May 5, 1821, Napoleon I passed away on the island of Saint Helena, after six long years of exile. Two hundred years later, France commemorated the anniversary of his death through exhibitions, ceremonies, and events with international repercussions. This bicentennial provided us with the opportunity to sell memorabilia related to Napoleon and his reign.

These auctions are an opportunity for our specialist Grégoire de Thoury, who is in charge of these thematic sales, to gather precious and rare historical memorabilia, drawings, paintings, war relics, clothing, relics, sculptures, art objects, silverware, jewelry, tableware, and handwritten letters. It also allows us to leverage the expertise of our Rare Books, Old Master Paintings & Drawings, and Militaria departments.

Good to know: Our Furniture, Sculpture & Art Objects department organizes two auctions per year in Paris dedicated to the Empire era. Aguttes Auction House can handle the sale of a private collection where all objects and artworks are related to the Empire. We offer sellers tailored communication in the spirit of the collector. The support for these collection sales is entirely personalized. The teams then choose the best dispersal strategy, which may rely on various types of auctions, either physical or online. The collection can also be integrated into specialized department sales within a dedicated section, for example. Most often, however, and depending on its significance, the collection is presented in a dedicated catalog or a separate edition with a specifically designed visual identity for it. The geographical location of the sale is determined according to its relevance. The sales can take place at the Aguttes Auction House in Neuilly-sur-Seine or at any other location in France or abroad.

Our specialist is available to estimate your items and provide you with professional expertise as well as advice on sales or investments. Discover our auction calendar and our offices.

The promotion program is based on modern tools and a trusted network established between the house, collectors, and professionals for many years.

The house has a unique communication strength and provides sellers with modern and targeted tools for effective international distribution. We pay particular attention to the production of the auction catalog, both in its design and content, whether in print or entirely digital. During our campaigns, we engage buyers from our portfolio across all specialties and potential buyers we have identified. We communicate with them using multiple channels: online and offline ads, social media, emailings, media, influencers, and auction platforms with high-quality and tailored materials such as images, text, and video.