A Day at the Auctions
Unless you live in a major metropolitan city, you might not have realized that many auction houses have some amazing exhibitions of their own. And, they’re free! Auctions in Paris can range from everyday items to museum-worthy art pieces, most of which are privately held, so you may never have another chance to see them once they return to a private collection or museum storage. So whether it's debt, death, or divorce, auctions can be a great opportunity to get a glimpse of private collections.
From the “Clochards” collection, this SS 2000 haute couture dress sold at Auction for €663000.
Recently, items from French socialite Mona Ayoub's haute couture collection were on display at the Le Bristol Hotel in Paris, allowing buyers to view and inspect the pieces for sale by Kerry Taylor Auctions and its Paris partner, Maurice Auctions. Everything was from Dior, with many pieces by John Galliano, and was made for her (as couture is made to order). Mona’s collection is exceptional as she was married to a Saudi Billionaire (you can read her story here), and the garments were recreated exactly as shown on the runway, with no changes, which is very rare for a client. Some were the actual runway samples. The sale broke all records, with a total of €6,187,610, and was free to attend. Where else can you find a museum-worthy exhibition of items you can actually touch?
Art is another area where auctions play a pivotal role in collecting. I was lucky enough to visit Christie’s in Paris for something they call a “selling exhibition” of surrealist art, curated from private collections and museums. I was the only one there, which was such a nice change from the busy museum exhibitions in Paris. There were definitely items here that could easily disappear from one private collection to the next, unseen by the public except for this moment. They also periodically run very expensive handbag sales and other fashion-specific sales. It is hard to believe the level of wealth on display, as the fee paid to the auction houses can be as much as 30% above the auction price, so buyer beware. Though if you have enough money to buy something from Christie’s, you are likely not worried about the commission.
Maurice Kalka desk on sale at Drouot
While these sales featured major museum-quality items, other auctions in Paris can be much more attainable if you actually want to buy something. One of my favourite places to hit up is the auction house Drouot, with three floors of rooms featuring items from various small auction houses all under one roof. These change every day: entire rooms are reconfigured and set for viewings in the mornings, with the actual auctions in the afternoons. This is where many vendors at local flea markets source some of their pieces. While viewing and touching the pieces in the mornings is hours of fun, attending the afternoon auctions and watching the action unfold is an amazing experience, and it’s easy to see how you can get swept up in the excitement. You might forget about the extra fee! Drouot, like every auction house, is free to visit. Whether it’s rare mid-century designer furniture, antique French objets d’art, or a very nice selection of jewellery (that you can examine and even try on), there’s always something unique and amazing on display.
Of course, Christie’s and Sotheby’s are well-known names that command high prices for items such as Hermès bags and high-end jewellery. As mentioned earlier, the auction house Maurice hosts some incredible fashion exhibitions and sales that have featured things like rare Margiela pieces. Other auction houses also offer fashion for sale, and some are more approachable, such as Bonhams, which still offers high-end pieces but at more attainable prices, and Penelope’s, which I think hosts some really great auctions featuring current items and special vintage offerings.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to auction houses in Paris, so I have made you a list of places to review before your next visit, or even shop from the comfort of your couch. Just don’t forget that extra fee!
And if you want to visit an auction house with a knowledgeable guide, get in touch!