April 30, 2019: Known for her extraordinary vision, grace and persona, there is a lot to say about the fashion revolutionizer Coco (Gabrielle) Chanel. Her possessions hold unparalleled importance in the world of fashion and style. One such style symbol is going under the hammer at Christie’s Asian Art department’s next sale – a rock crystal deer from the former personal collection of Ms. Chanel.
Executed during the Qing dynasty, the statuette which will be sold on June 12 at Christie’s Paris. It represents a seating deer with its head turned to the right, holding a branch of lingzhi in its mouth (estimate: €2,000-3,000). Presented under a glass protection, the auspicious animal symbolizing longevity has adorned the coffee table of Coco Chanel’s suite at the Ritz Hotel for years.
Tiphaine Nicoul and Camille de Foresta, Specialists of the Asian Art department : “We are delighted to present this rock crystal deer which was sitting in Coco Chanel’s living room for years. Considering the amazing result realised for the biscuit monkey sold last year [for €112,500], this crystal deer will certainly seduce Asian art lovers as well as Coco Chanel’s numerous admirers, a beautiful testimony of her refined, eclectic and timeless taste.”
Ms. Chanel, well known for liberating women through her simple and practical creations, had a unique taste for interior decoration, as shown by the numerous photographs of her apartments rue Cambon and at the Ritz. She was an outstanding collector of decorative art, design furniture and Asian works of art, as shown by her magnificent collection of 32 Coromandel lacquer screens.
