The sale will focus on the artistic relationship between France and Japan from the 19th century onwards. Made up of about 60 lots, it will feature an array of objects dating from 1860-1930 such as paintings, ceramics, prints and jewellery.
The auction house hopes the mixture of Oriental and Occidental objects will "emphasise the important influence Japanese art has had on the west".
The sale is one in a series of ‘cultural events’ taking place in France between July 2018 and February 2019 under the name Japonismes 2018: les âmes en résonance.
One of the sale’s highlights is a pair of French parcel gilt and bronze-mounted cloisonné enamel vases on bronze stands by Ferdinand Berbedienne, a famous French metalworker. These enormous vases, measuring 6ft 11in (2.1m) without their stands, were created during the 19th century at the pinnacle of Oriental influence in France and are highly detailed, painted with brightly coloured flowers and ‘dreamlike’ animals. The pair is estimated at €100,000-150,000.
Another object is a Belle-Epoque brooch by Boucheron c.1902. Representing a cicada, it contains sapphires, chrysoberyls and diamonds, with enamel wings and is estimated at €50,000-80,000.
As well as jewellery and ceramics, paintings feature heavily in the sale. Paul Sérusier’s Vue de Village (c.1906), is one such example. With its golden sky harking back to the gold leafed backgrounds of Japanese screens, Christie’s described Sérusier’s painting (estimated at €120,000-180,000) as a “perfect example of the influence of Japan on the Impressionist movement”.
Viewings will take place at Christie’s in Paris from November 10, 2018 and the sale will take place on November 15.
