Auctioneer André Meyzen, who set up in Narbonne two years ago after serving his apprenticeship in Paris, said he was “very pleased” with the result – the highest furniture price in France so far this year – although a little disappointed by lack of interest from American or English bidders, despite heavy advertising.
The result was somewhat below the Fr8m-10m estimate, but doubtless the private consignor who, said Meyzen, was originally hoping for "Fr60,000-80,000", will have been pleased.
Sale of a 1760s table de milieu
FRANCE: The French provinces continue to be a rich source of high-level goods as proved by the sale of this 1760s table de milieu with exuberant ormolu mounts attributed to the Roman bronzier Luigi Valadier, plus a marble top set with semi-precious stones, to the Paris trade for Fr6.4m (£610,000, plus 10.865 per cent buyer’s premium), in the sleepy town of Narbonne, south-west France, on April 1.
