Maison Sémonville is an apartment located in a private mansion on the Right Bank of Paris, built at the start of the reign of Louis XIV, around 1630. Architects and decorators John Coury and Florent Maillard redesigned the apartment to harmonise the interiors with the history of the building, while preserving original elements such as the facades, roofs, main staircase and beams of the living room. The furniture, made up of antique pieces dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, is combined with more contemporary elements to create a beautiful space that echoes old and new.
See also: A Brief History of Furniture Design
The decoration of the apartment is made up of objects patiently chosen in auction rooms or from antique dealers throughout Europe over five years and respects the history and spirit of the place. As architects John Coury and Florent Maillard explain it, "In our exciting mission as creators of dreams, we attach particular importance to the quality of details. We favour the rhythm and symmetry of architecture, the poetry of decor and the sensuality of materials and finishes."
See also: Mirrors: A Reflection
To renovate and decorate this historic building, the two architects were inspired by the life of Charles-Louis Huguet de Montaran, the Marquis de Sémonville (1759-1839), owner of the home and once the nominal French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Thus, they sprinkled eastern touches, such as 92 engravings commissioned by Charles de Ferriol, the French ambassador sent by Louis to the Ottoman Empire from 1692 to 1711.
This collection is particularly balanced despite its eclecticism, but remains full of surprises: two sandstone statues by Stefan Rinck representing two frogs playing with balls (in front of the fireplace) are juxtaposed with a bargueño (Spanish cabinet) from the 16th or 17th century.
See also: Baroque Silver Furniture: A Symbol of Power
The spirit of the apartment is still mainly inspired by the 16th century, with a portrait of Charles II of Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, estimated today between €6,000 and €8,000, which particularly attracted attention of the two architects. Two other equally astonishing portraits are also included: these are the portraits of the father and uncle of Charles II of Lorraine, François de Lorraine, Duke of Aumale then of Guise, and Cardinal Charles of Lorraine. The two architects found them at an antique dealer on Place des Sablons in Brussels, a week after acquiring the portrait of Charles II of Lorraine, thus bringing together the three members of the family in the same place. The last two portraits are estimated between €50,000 and €60,000 for the pair.
Want more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
Other beautiful objects from the collection will be put up for sale, including a large rectangular mirror with very rich gilded copper decoration dating from the Louis XIV period, estimated between €10,000 and €15,000 and a portrait of Gilberto Pio from Savoy, which was sold by Sotheby's London in November 2000 and by Christie's Paris in September 2015, estimated today between €8,000 and €10,000.
The public exhibition of the 150 lots will take place prior to the sale, which will be held on 8 November 2023 at 2:30 p.m., at Aguttes, in Neuilly-sur-Seine.