From Ancient to Modern:
A Distinguished Private Collection

London, King Street, 7 December 2016

Christie’s is delighted to offer paintings and decorative arts from an extraordinary private collection, spanning a broad range of cultures and periods. This diverse group of works embodies a contemporary approach to collecting: not by category but by cultural relationships and beliefs.

The selection of outstanding fine and decorative arts, spanning over 1,000 years of art history, is testament to the collector’s knowledge and discerning eye. Taken together, his eclectic acquisitions complement one another.

A statue of a girl dating from the Hellenistic period is an elegant contrast to Botero’s seated nude. Gargallo’s Cubist-inspired bronze masque of Kiki de Montparnasse is the modern counterpoint to an elaborate gilt-decorated 17th-century vargueño, on which it stood in the collector’s home. A 15th-century Papal ring evokes the power of faith, echoed by earlier religious works including the Adoration of the Magi.

Murillo’s tender masterpiece Saint Joseph and the Christ Child is a highlight of the Spanish section, which also features an exquisite copper panel by Paret y Alcázar and a striking early still life by Loarte. Beautiful examples of early Spanish religious art are offered alongside works by Tiepolo and Giaquinto.

Highlights from the collection will be on view in Mexico City from 11 October and in New York from 21 October.

Top to bottom: Giambattista Tiepolo (1696–1770), Alexander and Campaspe in the studio of Apelles, Estimate: £250,000–350,000; A Spanish gilt-iron-mounted, polychrome-decorated and bone-inlaid walnut vargueno and taquillon, Salamanca, 17th century, Estimate: £30,000–50,000; Pablo Gargallo (1881–1934), Kiki de Montparnasse, Estimate: £80,000–120,000


Exhibition highlights

  • Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682)

    Saint Joseph and the Christ Child
    oil on canvas
    87 ⅝ x 65 in. (222.5 x 165 cm.)
    Estimate: £3,000,000–5,000,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Luis Paret Y Alcázar (1746–1799)

    The Harbour of Bermeo
    oil on copper
    23 ⅝ x 32 ⅞ in. (60 x 83.5 cm.)
    £1,200,000–1,800,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Juan de Arellano (1614–1676)

    Rose, irises, morning glory and other flowers in a porcelain vase; and Parrot tulips, roses, lilies, lilacs and other flowers in a glass vase
    oil on canvas
    The first: 33 x 24 ¾ in (83.8 x 62.9 cm.); and the second: 32 ⅝ x 23 ⅝ in. (82.9 x 60 cm.)
    Estimate: £400,000–600,000 (pair)
    Lot offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Giambattista Tiepolo (1696–1770)

    Alexander and Campaspe in the studio of Apelles
    oil on canvas
    16 ⅜ x 19 ⅝ in. (41.5 x 49.9 cm.)
    Estimate: £250,000–350,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Antonio Ponce (1608 – after 1662?)

    A sunflower, morning glories and daffodils in a glass vase, grapes, pomegranates, and peaches in a porcelain bowl, with pomegranates and a quince on a stone ledge
    oil on canvas
    24 ½ x 39 ⅝ in. (62.2 x 100.7 cm.)
    Estimate: £300,000–500,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Pedro Berruguete (c. 1450 – before 1504)

    The Adoration of the Magi
    oil on panel
    42 x 31 ½ in. (106.8 x 71.8 cm.)
    Estimate: £200,000–300,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Pablo Gargallo (1881–1934)

    Espagnole à la mantille (Version I)
    cut and shaped iron with dark brown patina
    Height: 18 ¼ in. (46 cm.) (excluding the rectangular base)
    Executed in 1930; this work is unique
    Estimate: £150,000–200,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Henry Moore, O.M., C.H. (1898–1986)

    Draped Seated Figure against Curved Wall
    bronze with dark brown patina
    Width: 13 ¾ in. (34.9 cm.)
    Conceived in 1956–57 and cast in an edition of 12
    Estimate: £250,000–350,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • A Bronze Equestrian Statue
    Of Francisco De Moncada, Marquis Of Aytona
    Attributed to Francesco and Virgilio Fanelli, circa 1635 (detail)

    15 ¾ in. (40.1 cm.) high; 22 in. (56.2 cm.) high, overall
    Estimate: £60,000–90,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Alejandro De Loarte (1595/1600–1626)

    A chicken, sausages and other cuts of meat hanging from hooks, with a cardoon and other vegetables on a stone ledge below
    oil on canvas
    32 ⅛ x 42 ½ in. (81.7 x 107.9 cm.)
    Estimate: £250,000–350,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664)

    The Charity of Saint Thomas of Villanueva
    oil on canvas
    55 ⅛ x 32 ½ in. (140.1 x 82.4 cm.)
    Estimate: £300,000–500,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016

  • Fernando Botero (b. 1932)

    Mujer Sentada (Seated Woman)
    Bronze with dark brown patina
    Height: 16 ¾ in. (42.5 cm.)
    Conceived in 1981 and cast in an edition of nine
    Estimate: £120,000–150,000
    Lot Offered
    From Ancient to Modern: A Distinguished Private Collection, London, King Street, 7 December 2016


Sale information

  • Highlights Exhibition

    Mexico City
    12 October
    11am – 4pm

    New York
    21 – 25 October
    18 – 20 November

    To arrange a viewing in either location,
    please do not hesitate to contact us.

  • Contact

    Mexico City
    Gabriela Lobo
    globo@christies.com
    +52 555 281 5446

    New York
    Gemma Sudlow
    gsudlow@christies.com
    +1 212 636 2464


  • Auction

    London, King Street
    7 December 2016

  • Viewing

    3–6 December

    8 King Street
    London SW1Y 6QT

  • Contact

    Andrew Waters
    awaters@christies.com
    +44 (0) 20 7389 2343