Christie’s

Ahead of its upcoming auction, Hubert de Givenchy’s exceptional collection of furniture and artworks from his two homes displays the meticulous eye and impeccable taste of the French couturier.
Hubert de Givenchy. Photo: Victor Skrebneski
“Fashion changes, but the 18th century style will endure, as it is of exceptional quality,” Hubert de Givenchy (1927-2018) once said, adding that it be kept light and fresh with contemporary art. The French couturier, who opened his fashion house in 1952, in Paris, and dressed the most elegant women of the late 20th century – among them Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Mona von Bismarck, and the Duchess of Windsor – had always been fascinated by art. He considered it an extension of his own work while also expressing himself through the decor of his own interiors. “I try to achieve harmony between architecture, decoration, and color,” he said. The exceptional furniture and art collection of Monsieur de Givenchy will now be auctioned by Christie’s next month, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Monsieur de Givenchy’s first haute couture collection, presented in the French capital in 1952. The auction proceeds will go to the family.
At 17, de Givenchy – who was born in Beauvais into an aristocratic family of Venetian origin – moved to the capital, where he studied at the Beaux-Arts de Paris. Throughout his life, he was influenced by the creative legacy of his great-grandfather, who designed stage sets for the Paris Opera, and his grandfather, who was the administrator of the Beauvais Tapestry Factory as well as an avid collector. “My uncle started his collection as soon as he started making money from his fashion company,” explains James de Givenchy. “He was a true collector. He loved acquiring and surrounding himself with objects, furniture, and artworks. It was when he was the happiest.”
Hôtel d’Orrouer. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
Representing more than 1 200 lots, the fine arts and decorative pieces are drawn from two of Monsieur de Givenchy’s most elegant homes: the Hôtel d’Orrouer in Paris and the Château du Jonchet in the Loire Valley that the family still treasures. “Jonchet is our uncle’s most important chef d’oeuvre,” says James de Givenchy. “It is an enormous endeavor we are taking on. Hubert used to say, ‘It is not all to like a house, the house has to like you back.’ Le Jonchet loved him, and it was reciprocal. We hope we can continue being lovely to her.”
A broad variety of periods and styles characterize the pieces on sale, reflecting Hubert de Givenchy’s personal interests. Among them is the bronze Woman Walking (estimate on request) by the couturier’s friend and collaborator Alberto Giacometti, which was a gift to de Givenchy from the great American collector Bunny Mellon – a client who became a very close friend. Also included are Passage of the Migratory Bird (€2 500 000-3 500 000) by Joan Miró and Faun with a Spear (€1 500 000-2 000 000) by Pablo Picasso, as well as Bacchus (€1 500 000-2 500 000) attributed to François Girardon and a gilt bronze center table (€400 000-600 000) by Martin-Guillaume Biennais. Other objects and furniture that celebrate the golden age of French design in the 18th century are also available.
Château du Jonchet. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
“Hubert de Givenchy was fascinated by chairs of any sort and there must be over 100 in the sale,” notes Cécile Verdier, president of Christie’s France. “For Hubert de Givenchy, the chair is also a formidable medium for expressing himself through the choice of fabrics used to dress them. The finest leathers are said to have been embroidered by Monsieur de Givenchy’s glove makers, as on a series of Louis XV period armchairs à la Reine with leather and suede upholstery in three colors.” (Estimate €100 000-200 000 for the six armchairs). As part of a worldwide tour that offers a glimpse of the fashion designer’s world, some highlights from the collection were exhibited in Palm Beach in March and in New York and Los Angeles in April, followed by Hong Kong from May 21-26, before returning to Paris in June.
Monsieur de Givenchy never reached out to advisors to purchase art. He knew exactly what he wanted and gave priority to the Parisian antiquaires, such as Galerie Kugel, Marcel Bissey, Segoura, Alexander & Berendt, Galerie Didier, Aaron Aveline, and Galerie Michel Meyer. “He was a passionate ambassador for all the great French ateliers and craftsmen who have continued the spirit of creative excellence into our time,” adds Verdier. “In the decoration of his homes, Monsieur de Givenchy always considered the furniture in constant dialogue with the works of art, both ancient and modern. I believe this can be considered the common thread between all these fantastic pieces, chosen with a collector’s eye.”
Hôtel d’Orrouer. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
A jewelry designer, James de Givenchy has always considered his uncle to be his hero, describing him as handsome and elegant, soft-spoken and powerful. “With [my brother] Olivier, we would go and visit the couture house on Avenue George V with our mother to see him,” he remembers. “He would come out of the atelier and give us a kiss. The models would run through the hallways to the fitting room laughing and the music would be playing in the background. There were moments of bliss I will never forget.”
Throughout his adult life, James de Givenchy maintained a great relationship with his uncle, constantly learning from his love of beauty and knowledge of history, which imbues this unique collection. Every piece reveals a little bit more about who the couturier was, how he created, and the environments in which he evolved – including his homes. “This summer, the auctions are an opportunity to celebrate Hubert de Givenchy as one of the greatest ambassadors of French taste,” offers Charles Cator, deputy chairman of Christie’s international. “To tell his story of the art of living, collecting, and the elegance he sought to capture in all things.”
Check out some more of the remarkable pieces from Hubert de Givenchy’s collection below.
A first floor lounge in the Hôtel d’Orrouer in Paris. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
The Bunny Mellon bedroom at Château du Jonchet. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
The courtyard lounge in the Hôtel, featuring The Woman Walking by Alberto Giacometti. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
The Château’s Tree of Life bedroom. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
The Red bedroom in the Hôtel. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
François-Xavier Lalanne’s Oiseau de jardin II at the Château. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
A door knocker by Diego Giacometti. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Christie’s
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Originally published in the May 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia

Madame Royale, daughter of Marie Antoinette wearing the diamond bracelets. Photo: Courtesy of Christie’
Diamonds belonging to France’s last queen Marie Antoinette are being auctioned by Christie’s on November 9 in Geneva. To be presented in their current form, the 112 diamonds were once a pair of bracelets that adorned the hands of queen Marie Antoinette. The pieces will form lot 1 of Christie’s live Magnificent Jewels Auction, with an estimated value of US $2,000,000-4,000,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Christie’s
In the spring of 1776, the Queen had bought these two diamond bracelets for the exorbitant sum of 250,000 livres, paid partially by gems from the Queen’s own collection and funds she received from King Louis XVI. At the height of the revolution, the diamonds were sent to Count Mercy-Argenteau, Ambassador of the Austrian Empire for safekeeping and remained untouched until the Queen’s passing. The Queen’s daughter, Madame Royale, then received them upon her arrival in Austria. Madame Royale then passed them on to her nieces and nephews, the Count and Countess of Chambord and the Duchess of Parma.
Photo: Courtesy of Christie’s
“Over the past 255 years, Christie’s have offered many Historic Jewels from Royal Houses around the world. It is a privilege to be able to offer these exceptional and unique bracelets for sale at Christie’s where they will attract bidding from collectors globally. As seen in recent Geneva sales, the market for jewels of noble provenance continues to perform extremely well,” said François Curiel, Chairman Christie’s Luxury.
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Louvre Partnership x Vac 2020 Christie’s Experience

A bespoke, one-of-a-kind Vacheron Constantin watch is up for auction at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Its Les Cabinotiers watch, whose dial reproduces in miniature enamel an artwork kept in the Louvre Museum and chosen by its buyer, is part of the Bid For The Louvre auction on until December 15.
“Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers watch is the only horological lot among the unique and exclusive pieces put up for auction,” shares Christian Selmoni, style and heritage director for Vacheron Constantin. “This participation was a natural choice for the manufacture, testifying to its profound attachment to art and culture as well as its concern for safeguarding and passing on heritage in all its forms.”
A mock-up of the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers watch.

Donated on behalf of the Swiss watch brand, which has been a partner of the Louvre since 2019, it will join other bids, with the aim to bolster arts and culture and celebrate beauty and art. It presents a unique opportunity for the future owner to experience an unforgettable artistic exchange between Paris and Geneva.
“We are proud to be taking part along other artists and maisons in this exceptional auction organized by the Louvre and Christie’s in support of the museum’s solidarity projects,” comments Louis Ferla, Vacheron Constantin CEO. “Our ongoing commitment to art and the transmission of savoir-faire – which has been expressed alongside the Louvre since the announcement of our partnership a year ago – takes on even greater significance within a global context that is troubled and challenging in more ways than one. Putting up for auction a Les Cabinotiers timepiece based on a masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind model personalized in accordance with the acquirer’s wishes, symbolizes the identity of our maison and its mission to promote the sharing of culture and emotions.” The owner will also be able to choose the case material of platinum, pink, or white gold, have an engraving made on the officer-type case-back; and choose the strap from a selection of various materials and colors.
Autumn by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

The successful bidder will start their journey in Paris with a private visit to the Louvre, led by its best expert. There, they will select the piece to be reproduced in enamel on the dial. Known as the Geneva technique, and dating from the 18th century, this miniature enamel is done by only the most experienced artisan masters of both pigment and fire. One of the main challenges consists in composing a color palette compliant with the original shades of the work, while remaining keenly aware that the multiple firings in the kiln at over 800°C are liable to alter its color and brilliance share the team behind Vacheron Constatin. Grisaille enamel as a craft, appeared in the 16th century and consists of superimposing touches of a rare white enamel on a layer of dark enamel coating the gold dial base. Each layer of enamel is then fired in a kiln, timed to the second.
100% of the sale proceeds of the Christie’s auction will support the solidarity projects of Le Louvre.
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Some of the world’s most luxurious designer items are now up for grabs. British auction house Christie’s is hosting its Handbags & Accessories Online: The London Edition from today, November 3 until November 17, including handbags from the most desired labels in fashion like Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès. Opening at 5pm GST, this […]
The post These Coveted Luxury Handbags are Being Auctioned Online by Christie’s appeared first on Vogue Arabia.