Nearly 350 years ago, French sculptor Jean-Baptiste Tuby sat in his studio casting and sculpting. Called Le Romain by his peers as a nod to his Italian heritage and training, he had moved to France sometime after 1660 to work under Charles Le Brun. In the decade that followed, Tuby had become a leading figure in Baroque sculpture, completing royal commissions for the grottoes of Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the gardens and fountains of Palais de Versailles as favored court sculptor to Louis XIV.
This day, circa 1670, the sculptor began a new commission — a pair of two bronze horses full of life and dynamism. Originally envisioned as part of a decorative fountain, the figures represented the mythical hippocampus, or seahorse, as evidenced by their hooves, mane and torso entangled with flowing seaweed. The subject was not new to Tuby; in fact, the work relates closely to an...
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One of the most intimate forms of art, the miniature represents a compelling chapter in the history of art. While large-scale portraits served as a testament to one’s power and importance, the miniature had a far different purpose. Given as personal gifts to loved ones and bestowed as rewards for loyal supporters, they were meant to be kept close and private as a reminder of one’s love, faith or fealty. Today, they offer us a glimpse into a world that no longer exists — of courtiers and kings, of generals and revolutionaries — each rendered down to the most minute detail. Yet, the emotional impulses behind their creation remain familiar, and it is this dichotomy that makes them so captivating to contemporary viewers and collectors.
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Swiss Ideal Music Box and Cabinet by Mermod Frères. Circa 1886. M.S. Rau New Orleans
Favre, unfortunately, never enjoyed success from his discovery; poor health forced his retirement, and he died a poor man. However, by the early 19th century, other Swiss craftsmen and horologists were applying the cylinder comb technology to their own creations, giving rise to the cylinder music box industry. Switzerland remained the center of music box production throughout the invention’s prime, and they were an important Swiss export during the second half of the 19th century. In total, an estimated 10,000 artisans were employed in the Swiss music box industry. Makers such as Nicole Frères, B.A. Bremond, Mermod Frères and Charles Paillard came on the scene, creating some of the most beautiful cylinder boxes ever devised. Many of the most prized examples incorporated automatons that danced along to a tune or even other instruments like drums, bells, mandolins and castanets.
One of the most intimate forms of art, the miniature represents a compelling chapter in the history of art. While large-scale portraits served as a testament to one’s power and importance, the miniature had a far different purpose. Given as personal gifts to loved ones and bestowed as rewards for loyal supporters, they were meant to be kept close and private as a reminder of one’s love, faith or fealty. Today, they offer us a glimpse into a world that no longer exists — of courtiers and kings, of generals and revolutionaries — each rendered down to the most minute detail. Yet, the emotional impulses behind their creation remain familiar, and it is this dichotomy that makes them so captivating to contemporary viewers and collectors.
Automata in the Age
of Englightenment
One of the most intimate forms of art, the miniature represents a compelling chapter in the history of art. While large-scale portraits served as a testament to one’s power and importance, the miniature had a far different purpose. Given as personal gifts to loved ones and bestowed as rewards for loyal supporters, they were meant to be kept close and private as a reminder of one’s love, faith or fealty. Today, they offer us a glimpse into a world that no longer exists — of courtiers and kings, of generals and revolutionaries — each rendered down to the most minute detail. Yet, the emotional impulses behind their creation remain familiar, and it is this dichotomy that makes them so captivating to contemporary viewers and collectors.
Descartes view of animals as machines is a revelation into this progression: “Consider the body as a machine, which, having been made by the hands of God, is incomparably better coordinated and has much more admirable movement in it than any of those which could be invented by man.” Accordingly, these early androids were artificial creations that sought to mimic that which was made by God, possessing the appearance of a living being from their physical forms to their essential functions.
Automata and the Modern Era
The majority of these musical and mechanical figurines were influenced by the entertainment of their time and place. Paris during the Belle Époque was a whirlwind of lavish affairs and exotic amusements. The snake charmers and exotic dancers of the famed Folies-Bergère inspired a number of toymakers of the age, while the characters of the Nouveau Cirque and other circuses provided inspiration in the form of jugglers, animal trainers and clowns. These characters and more came to life in 19th-century drawing rooms thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of modern toymakers.
The majority of these musical and mechanical figurines were influenced by the entertainment of their time and place. Paris during the Belle Époque was a whirlwind of lavish affairs and exotic amusements. The snake charmers and exotic dancers of the famed Folies-Bergère inspired a number of toymakers of the age, while the characters of the Nouveau Cirque and other circuses provided inspiration in the form of jugglers, animal trainers and clowns. These characters and more came to life in 19th-century drawing rooms thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of modern toymakers.
Swiss Fusée Singing Bird Box by Frères Rochat. Circa 1830. M.S. Rau, New Orleans (Sold)
The history of musical machines is inextricably linked to the history of clocks. The same highly complex clockwork mechanisms that powered the great timepieces of the 16th and 17th centuries informed the creation of later automata, singing bird boxes and music boxes. In fact, the link between the clock and the automaton is seen as early as 3000 B.C.E., when Egyptian water clocks were equipped with human figurines possessing the ability to strike a bell on the hour.
The Strasbourg astronomical clock located in the Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France, is exemplary of the close ties between the development of the clock and the automaton. First built in 1352-54, it was later reconstructed in 1571-74 and featured several mechanical figures, as well as a calendar, orrery and other astronomical complexities. The addition of the moving figures made the religious message of the timepiece and its setting more vivid. In one particularly poignant group of figures, the twelve apostles parade before Jesus, who is depicted blessing each in turn. Although the clock in place today dates to the 19th century, fragments of earlier clocks are kept in the Strasbourg Museum for Decorative Arts, including the 14th-century gilded rooster, which is considered the oldest preserved automaton in the world.
As clockmakers of the 17th and 18th centuries invented increasingly more complex clockwork mechanisms, they turned their attention to other challenges in the form of automata, bird boxes and music boxes. These mechanical wonders soon became highly coveted objects of luxury entertainment for the wealthy classes, setting the stage for major technological developments to come.
The Age of Enlightenment (1685-1815) brought with it a new fascination for automata outside of their mere mechanics. During this period, European intellectuals embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of the universe, which suddenly seemed within reach. Certain discoveries, such as the English physician William Harvey’s discovery of the circulation of the blood in 1628, suggested that the basic functions and mechanics of the human body were knowable. Naturally, mechanisms that imitated the human form and human activities emerged soon thereafter.
The Industrial Revolution brought change to all sectors of society, the toymaking industry included. Thanks to a rapidly expanding middle class, a growing group of clientele emerged who were able and willing to pay for novelty items such as automata. Firms such as Roullet et Decamps, Bontems and Théroude became the first mass producers of these charming “toys,” most of which contained a small cylinder music box that played as an automaton performed its motions.
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Political Provenance
For heads of state like emperors and presidents, objects of personal significance can range from household utilities to artistic demonstrations of political power and prestige. Commissioned portraits allow the statesman to assert themselves in their preferred manner, providing a lasting document of their political personality. Political gifts, even those as simple as a pen, can demonstrate the esteem of the office. Personal ephemera owned by presidents, however, can provide a different angle on the great leaders of the past; rather than a carefully constructed public persona, the items often remind us that these figures are, at the end of the day, ordinary people with exceptional callings.
When thinking of the opulence of the monarchy, images of the sumptuous interiors of Versailles or the brilliant Hope Diamond spring to mind. The royal families of Europe have been patrons of fine art, furniture and objets d’art since their inception, utilizing their distinction to commission the finest craftsmen and artists to adorn their palatial residences and vestments with the world’s greatest treasures. Noble families, through their elevated status and service to the crown, have also acquired great luxuries — whether gifted or purchased. Antiques and fine art with royal and aristocratic provenance offer the rare opportunity to possess finery fit for a king.
In 2015, Ringo Starr's drum kit sold at auction for $2.2 million. Three years later, Marie Antoinette's pearl pendant fetched a stunning $32 million. What do these seemingly disparate objects have in common? They each boast a stellar provenance that sent their value soaring well above what they would have otherwise realized. Originating from the French word provenir, meaning "to come from," provenance offers a chronological overview of an object or artwork’s ownership through time and can be a critical factor when determining authenticity and value. Provenance attached to royalty or celebrity can elevate an object above its intrinsic worth or lend validation to its valuation.
The history of automata and mechanical music is inextricably linked to humankind’s pursuit of knowledge: knowledge of science, knowledge of engineering and knowledge of our own humanity. Combining technical skill and artistry, automata, music boxes and singing bird boxes possess an intrinsic elegance and charm that continue to enchant onlookers to this day, even in an age of modern, on-demand entertainment. Human-shaped machines that convey the illusion of being alive, delightful little birds that plump their feathers and sing a tune, automatic music players that perform on par with a concert pianist...these captivating, ingenious and mysterious machines represent a remarkable history of invention, philosophical curiosity and popular culture that remains highly relevant. The Art of Sound: Automata and Mechanical Music explores these fascinating mechanisms and their lasting impact.
This Renaissance Revival mahogany dining chair, one of two, was once housed in the White House during Abraham Lincoln's presidency. The pair, known as the "Lincoln chairs," possesses a remarkable history. They come from a set of fourteen dining chairs specially made for Mary Todd Lincoln around 1860, the same year that her husband, Abraham Lincoln, was elected president of the United States. Used in the White House dining room during President Lincoln's administration, they represent an amazing artifact from his remarkable legacy.
This stunning piece of horseracing history was presented to the winner of the 1933-1934 Calcutta Races on behalf of King George V. This trophy was presented to the winning horse’s owner Mr. Edward Esmond, a very well-known name in the horseracing world of his day. His horses won races across the globe, including the French Derby, the Grand Prix de Paris, the Prix de Diane and the Calcutta Races. Organized by the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, a horse racing organization founded in 1847 in Calcutta, British India, the Calcutta Races was the most prestigious race in Asia and among the most important social events of the season, with the King himself often in attendance.
The Importance of Provenance
Royal & Aristocratic Provenance
Provenance of Socialites and Business Magnates
Celebrity
Provenance
Pierre-Denis Martin, General View of Chateau de Marly, seen from the watering pool, 1724
Pair of Bronze Horses Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Tuby. Circa 1670.
Building an Empire:
Napoleon Bonaparte as Patron
Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was and remains one of the most legendary military and political figures in history, having held, for a brief period, the fate of the Western world in his hands. His successes during the French Revolution led the leader to great prominence, and his persistent campaigns for control of France have given him a rightful place in the annals of history as one of the most polarizing and powerful political leaders of the modern age.
In addition to his military prowess and political ambitions, the emperor held a deep appreciation for the arts and was a frequent patron. He opened the Musée Napoleon in the Louvre where he displayed his most prized spoils of war — paintings and sculptures captured during his campaigns abroad. Napoleon also commissioned a multitude of portraits of himself, shrewdly creating works of propaganda to support his military aims and carefully curate his public persona.
These exceptional and rare Sèvres porcelain ice pails hail from Napoleon Bonaparte's last and greatest commission in 1814, when the revered French firm fashioned the imperial ruler a dining service that embodied Napoleonic opulence. Completely unique to this Sèvres service, the “Vues Diverses” (Diverse Views) ice pails set features European palaces including examples from Russia, Austria, England as well as France. To Napoleon, these scenes, rendered by the finest porcelain factory of his time, represented his ambition as well as France’s rightful place as the world’s most powerful country. Striking in beauty with historic provenance, this pair of ice pails — also called glacière à chimères — represents the very best of Sèvres output.
The pair reflects Napoleon’s Neoclassical tastes, each with two silver-gilt handles terminating in a female mask, along with rims featuring a band of quatrefoil flower heads above a band alternating anthemia and masks. Four painted tableaus depict four palaces with a personal connection to the Emperor: Palais de Saint-Cloud, Napoleon's permanent residence; Palais de Schonbrunn in Vienna, where Napoleon signed the Treaty of Vienna; Windsor Palace in England; and the Palais de Sarskocello. The scrollwork along the gilt sides centers a...
Sèvres ice pails commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and purchased by King Louis XVIII of France.
National Treasures:
The Personal Effects of American Presidents
Not all objects treasured by the politicians that shaped history are intended to demonstrate power and prestige. Some items, like this hair comb once owned by Martha Washington, the wife of the Founding Father and first President of the United States George Washington, are simply cherished goods for personal care. The First Lady ordered two hair combs and other personal items from London-based merchant house Robert Cary and Co. in January of 1758. Infused with the personality and glamour that surrounded her, the hair comb evokes a private and treasured part of Mrs. Washington's boudoir, and is a reminder of the fascinating everyday routines of larger-than-life figures in our nations history.
Another essential in any household is flatware for dining, and this example was also owned by George and Martha Washington. This important Blue Canton China dinner plate was used by the presidential couple when entertaining guests at their famed Mount Vernon home. The Washingtons rarely dined out, however they were gracious entertainers and took great care and consideration in choosing only the best linens, cutlery and table services for their private estate.
The first American President and First Lady favored Blue Canton China and owned a number of different patterns of this style. In fact, many of the most fashionable tables in the early American Republic were set with Blue Canton, so-called because of the great Chinese trading port of its origin. This design was in demand well into the 19th century and has continued to be popular as a symbol of heritage for many American families.
For highly revered heads of state like the first leading family, the personal effects that become preserved for posterity can be even more intimate and shocking. Strands of hair and pieces from the funerary case of George Washington are showcased in this frame. The strands were obtained from a larger lock of the former President's hair given to a Thomas Farmer in 1845 by a woman employed to braid the hair of President Washington and Andrew Jackson into a piece of mourning jewelry. The fragments from the outer red cedar case that housed Washington's casket in 1799 were part of a larger piece originally given to Congressman Timothy Hedges in 1831. The strands and fragments are displayed along with a reproduction of Gilbert Stuart's famed Lansdowne Portrait of 1796, currently housed in the National Portrait Gallery, along with a reproduction of Washington's signature.
George Washington's Dinner Plate. Circa 1763-1783. Used by the Washingtons when entertaining at their Mount Vernon estate.
Martha Washington's Hair Comb. 18th century.
George Washington's Hair and Funerary Case Shavings. Circa 1799.
Royal and Aristocratic
Provenance
The mysterious King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia, the Duke of Savoy, whose political philosophies ranged from revolutionary to absolutist, was as complex as his intriguing desk. The king was responsible for leading his country to the First War of Independence from 1848-1849 and is known for guiding Italy through its first steps toward eventual unification. After being defeated in a battle against absolutist Austria in 1849 at Novara, the King abdicated in favor of his son, Victor Emmanuel II. He then left for exile in Porto, Portugal, where he died in the same year.
Created for the Crown:
Royal Patronage and Provenance
Royal Italian writing desk and armchair, created for King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia (1798-1849). Circa 1840.
During his reign over Sardinia, Alberto forged many political alliances, meaning there was never a shortage of secret correspondence and strategic plans to be stored. His writing table and matching armchair, created for the king in the mid-19th century, are rife with secret drawers and compartments. Both beautiful and functional, the desk and armchair feature complex woodwork with elaborate artistic details. Cleverly concealed buttons and levers open secret drawers and panels, revealing storage spaces within the rails of the chair seat, center square of the desk, frieze, corners, carved lion’s heads and throughout the base. A writing slide pulls out from above the center drawer on one side of the desk, while the opposite side is fitted with hidden architectural interiors, each brimming with secret compartments. The inlaid and carved wood features foliate swags, scrollwork and lion’s masks while lion’s paws decorate the base. One of the finest hand-crafted writing tables of the 19th century, the desk is marked by remarkable design and ingenuity befitting of a powerful royal leader.
Britain's Finest:
The Prized Possessions of English Nobility
Across the English channel, nobility also indulged in the opulence afforded to the monarchical rulers of mainland Europe. Both the peerage and the landed gentry, who own nearly a third of all British land, were able to accumulate vast fortunes, and the expensive tastes that came with it.
Even those not born into English noble wealth and its trappings could acquire the finest goods coveted by kings and queens — sometimes, even if they were from the other side of the Atlantic. American socialite Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, remains one of the most famous, or infamous, women of the 20th century. Credited by many for nearly bringing down the British monarchy due to her relationship with Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, she has been the subject of books, movies, endless speculation and gossip. She was even named Time Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 1936. Edward was crowned King of England in January 1936 before scandalously abdicating his throne after less than a year to marry Simpson, an American divorcée and socialite. A love story for the ages, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived happily as a fashionable couple of European high society until the Duke’s death in 1972.
Duke of Windsor with his Duchess, the former Wallis Simpson aboard the Queen Mary.
This brooch once belonged to the Duchess, who is often remembered as owning one of the finest and most luxurious jewelry collections of the modern age. Originally created by a native artisan in the area of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, the delicately crafted goldwork, natural pearls, emeralds and pink tourmalines all highlight the precious natural materials of that region. The gold is crafted in an intricate openwork design in the Indian style set with faceted emeralds and tourmalines, while pearls and beaded gemstones hang like tassels from the central structure. Always wanting to be on the cutting edge of fashion trends, the Duchess often had pieces in her collection altered and redesigned to suit her modern tastes. She later commissioned Cartier to add an emerald and tourmaline mounting at the apex of this brooch’s design, further enhancing its visual impact and prestige.
Simpson’s jewelry collection was second to none, and it became just as much a part of her public persona as was her personal life. Throughout their relationship and marriage, the Windsors marked special occasions with gifts, and exceptional gems were always on order. The Duke of Windsor was as much an arbiter and follower of fashion as his wife, and jewelry was a favorite of his; he even helped design several pieces for the Duchess. In fact, many of his collaborations with jewelers, including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, were considered the forerunners of the post-War style. In 1987, Sotheby’s held a historic auction of Simpson’s collection, which raised $53.5 million, the world record for any single-owner collection of jewelry, underscoring this brooch’s importance.
Duchess of Windsor's Emerald and Tourmaline Brooch. Early 20th century.
Provenance of Socialites and Business Magnates
Automata and the Modern Era
The majority of these musical and mechanical figurines were influenced by the entertainment of their time and place. Paris during the Belle Époque was a whirlwind of lavish affairs and exotic amusements. The snake charmers and exotic dancers of the famed Folies-Bergère inspired a number of toymakers of the age, while the characters of the Nouveau Cirque and other circuses provided inspiration in the form of jugglers, animal trainers and clowns. These characters and more came to life in 19th-century drawing rooms thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of modern toymakers.
The majority of these musical and mechanical figurines were influenced by the entertainment of their time and place. Paris during the Belle Époque was a whirlwind of lavish affairs and exotic amusements. The snake charmers and exotic dancers of the famed Folies-Bergère inspired a number of toymakers of the age, while the characters of the Nouveau Cirque and other circuses provided inspiration in the form of jugglers, animal trainers and clowns. These characters and more came to life in 19th-century drawing rooms thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of modern toymakers.
The Industrial Revolution brought change to all sectors of society, the toymaking industry included. Thanks to a rapidly expanding middle class, a growing group of clientele emerged who were able and willing to pay for novelty items such as automata. Firms such as Roullet et Decamps, Bontems and Théroude became the first mass producers of these charming “toys,” most of which contained a small cylinder music box that played as an automaton performed its motions.
In the late-19th and early 20th centuries, business was booming. Industrialization allowed production and profits to increase exponentially, and visionary investors and magnates took advantage of the opportunity to amass large fortunes no longer reserved for royalty and nobility.
Best Money Can Buy:
The Finery of History’s Movers and Shakers
As a descendant of German-American fur-trader John Jacob Astor (1763–1848), an enterprising businessman of the colonial period, John Jacob Astor IV was an heir to one of the richest families in America. Founder of the luxury Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, Astor’s many undertakings in real estate, writing and invention also provided income that positioned him as one of the richest men in the United States. Many members of the Astor family were passionate sailors who were devoted to the success of the New York Yacht Club, and the socialite and millionaire John Jacob Astor was no exception.
The importance of both the Astor competition and its trophy is indisputable. Held in Newport, RI and originally sanctioned by the New York Yacht Club, the Astor Cup is one of the most important annual yacht races in the world and was only second to the America’s Cup in importance. The trophies for the first of these races at the end of the 19th century were donated by John Jacob Astor.
Beyond their commission by one of the era’s richest men, the 1893 Astor Cup was won by the triumphant Vigilant, a talented competitor who went on to later win the America’s cup. The owners of the victorious yacht were E.D. Morgan, a relative of J. P. Morgan, August Belmont, whose wife Alva was one of the leading ladies of New York and helped create the “social 400” with John Jacobs Astor’s wife Caroline, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, then the wealthiest man in the world. The one-of-a-kind trophy was presented to the winners by John Jacob Astor himself.
1893 Astor Cup crafted in silver by Tiffany & Co.
Though his passion led the millionaire to spend much of his time on ships and sailboats, it was also a boat that would lead to his demise. Astor and his wife Madeleine boarded the RMS Titanic in 1912 for its maiden voyage; as the wealthiest passengers aboard the ship, they embarked in first class, and only Madeleine survived. In the days that followed, many reports of the tragedy opened with speculation on the uncertain fate of John Jacob Astor IV, indicating the great celebrity and status that the business magnate wielded — particularly in New York City.
The New York Herald, April 15, 1912.
Vigilant, winner of the 1893 Astor Cup.
John Jacob Astor IV and his second wife Madeleine.
Celebrity Provenance
Automata and the Modern Era
The majority of these musical and mechanical figurines were influenced by the entertainment of their time and place. Paris during the Belle Époque was a whirlwind of lavish affairs and exotic amusements. The snake charmers and exotic dancers of the famed Folies-Bergère inspired a number of toymakers of the age, while the characters of the Nouveau Cirque and other circuses provided inspiration in the form of jugglers, animal trainers and clowns. These characters and more came to life in 19th-century drawing rooms thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of modern toymakers.
The majority of these musical and mechanical figurines were influenced by the entertainment of their time and place. Paris during the Belle Époque was a whirlwind of lavish affairs and exotic amusements. The snake charmers and exotic dancers of the famed Folies-Bergère inspired a number of toymakers of the age, while the characters of the Nouveau Cirque and other circuses provided inspiration in the form of jugglers, animal trainers and clowns. These characters and more came to life in 19th-century drawing rooms thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of modern toymakers.
The Industrial Revolution brought change to all sectors of society, the toymaking industry included. Thanks to a rapidly expanding middle class, a growing group of clientele emerged who were able and willing to pay for novelty items such as automata. Firms such as Roullet et Decamps, Bontems and Théroude became the first mass producers of these charming “toys,” most of which contained a small cylinder music box that played as an automaton performed its motions.
The prized possessions of celebrities who achieve great fame and fortune often dazzle those of us who only experience Hollywood's allure from the screen. The glitz and glamour of actors is accentuated by the lavish attire and jewelry that mark their elegance. Likewise, musical stars impress us with their powerful performances and stage style. For those who admire the stars, celebrity provenance can offer a rare glimpse into the everyday charm of beloved personalities.
Favorite Things:
The Possessions of Music and Movie Stars
Exuding the cinematic glamour and drama for which the beloved actress is remembered, these earrings were worn by Vivien Leigh in her role as Cleopatra in the 1945 British film Caesar and Cleopatra. Known for her iconic roles on stage and screen, Leigh was a major box office draw and two-time Academy Award winner for her prodigious performances as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.
The intricate goldwork reflects the film’s billing as one of the most lavish films of all time. The movie cost more than one million pounds to produce, an incredible amount considering the austerity of the time in England — Caesar and Cleopatra began filming mere days after D-Day. No expense was spared, and these earrings represent the opulence of the production, Vivien Leigh’s star power and the lasting cultural impact of Cleopatra herself.
Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra, 1945.
Vivien Leigh's Earrings from Caesar and Cleopatra (1945).
Bill Rau demonstrates the many hidden compartments in this remarkable royal desk.
Carlo Alberto I, King of Sardinia, reigned from 1831 to 1849.
Martha Washington, 1731-1802
George Washington, 1732-1799
More to Explore
Portrait of Marshal Ney
Abraham Lincoln's Final Possession
John F. Kennedy's Presidential Pen
Laura Bush’s Art Deco Aquamarine Necklace
More to Explore
The Royal Ice Pail
King Louis Philippe's Porcelain Mantel Clock
The Grand Ducal Pietre Dure Console Tables
Important Painting by Sir Winston Churchill
More to Explore
The Du Pont Padparadscha Sapphire Ring
Christina Onassis' Harry Winston Golconda Diamond Necklace
More to Explore
Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari Brooch
Joan Fontaine's Retro Compact
Prince's Love Symbol Necklace
Political
Provenance
The Importance of Provenance
In many cases, it can be exceedingly difficult to reconstruct provenance due to the very nature of time and circumstance. Whether through a benign lack of documentation or a malicious theft, the past ownership of an item is often shrouded in mystery. Most objects are lost to the ravages of time, whether sunken under the sea, buried in storage or destroyed. These very complications of history make items of esteemed and well-documented provenance all the more fascinating and valuable to collectors.
Passed from maker to patron, patron to descendants and hand to hand, historical objects, precious or mundane, provide glimpses into the past. Whether an exquisite mantel clock fit for a king, a classic pen used in the White House, or sumptuous jewelry beloved by celebrities and socialites, a prestigious provenance can make the finest objects from history even more appealing. Read on to discover objects, jewels and artworks once treasured by the movers and shakers of bygone eras.