Standing tall among Paris’ many architectural jewels, the Hôtel Lambert is a palatial private house, decorated by the artistic visionaries behind the Palace of Versailles. Since it was built in the early 1640s, it has been home to myriad illustrious families, with luminaries, artists, writers and composers gathering in its sumptuous salons to create a rich cultural tapestry over the centuries.
Following a painstaking and sympathetic restoration by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and his immediate family, the Hôtel Lambert was returned to its former glory – turning back the clock to its mythical original state by recreating several previously undecorated rooms and staying faithful to the styles of the 17th and 18th centuries. This was followed by an extensive process of acquiring furniture and objects whose provenance, craftsmanship and academic significance matched that of the prestigious setting – resulting in one of the finest private collections of decorative arts ever assembled.
Housed in the Hôtel Lambert’s sixty-one rooms was a collection of many collections, containing within it extremely important and coherent ensembles – from French furniture to silverware, Limoges enamels to antique jewels, all of the utmost calibre. From 11-14 October, Sotheby’s Paris will offer the contents across five live auctions, and an online sale, accompanied by a series of catalogues comprising six volumes. Each auction celebrates a different theme – testament to the sheer breadth of the collection, and the thoughtful approach behind its creation. Together, the sales will offer the opportunity to acquire the pieces that furnished one of the most storied and beautiful private residences in the world.
A public exhibition will precede the auctions, open to visitors from 6-11 October. The auctions will be commemorated with six volumes.
Proceeds from the sale will support The Al Thani Collection Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose core mission is to advance and promote art and culture. This objective is principally delivered through public art initiatives including sponsorships, museum projects, the staging of exhibitions, an international loans programme and academic publications – honouring artistic achievement across a rich diversity of cultures.
“It is with immense pleasure that Sotheby’s unveils the magnificent contents of the Hôtel Lambert, a universally known landmark in Paris, with interiors that are only now being revealed.”
“The pursuit of beauty and excellence is at the core of this spectacular collection, bringing together pieces treasured by the tastemakers of each generation. Visiting the astonishing residence was akin to stepping into part of Versailles, a place where historical and cultural resonance abounds. We look forward to sharing all that we have seen with collectors and art lovers around the world.”
“The Hôtel Lambert is one of the most extraordinary places I have ever been to. It is extraordinary in every way – the story, the shape of the place, the location, how it sits on the island, its beautiful garden and interiors. The kind of beauty that blows you away… the pieces I saw there are so extraordinary, and they are going to continue to be extraordinary for centuries to come.”
For more information on the history of the Hotel Lambert, please see here.
PRESS RELEASE - ARABIC
For press enquiries, please contact:
London
Mitzi Mina | Mitzi.Mina@Sothebys.com
Melica Khansari | Melica.Khansari@Sothebys.com
Paris
Sophie Dufresne | Sophie.Dufresne@Sothebys.com
