Sep 9, 2025 10:00 EST
The Collection of Lucille Coleman
188
Pair of Louis XVI Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and White Marble Two-Light Candelabra
Estate / Collection: The Collection of Lucille Coleman
After a model by Claude-Michel Clodion, late 18th Century
Each infant holding aloft two flaring acanthus-cast candle branches terminating in foliate nozzles, the arms entwined with vines and acanthus motifs, the figures are classically draped and stand on a naturalistic ormolu base over a fluted white marble socle, set on square plinth with beaded and laurel cast mounts.
Height 16 1/2 inches (41.9 cm).
Provenance: Important French Furniture & European Ceramics, Sotheby's, New York, October 24, lot 2003, lot 65.
$6,000 - $9,000
Estate / Collection: The Collection of Lucille Coleman
After a model by Claude-Michel Clodion, late 18th Century
Each infant holding aloft two flaring acanthus-cast candle branches terminating in foliate nozzles, the arms entwined with vines and acanthus motifs, the figures are classically draped and stand on a naturalistic ormolu base over a fluted white marble socle, set on square plinth with beaded and laurel cast mounts.
Height 16 1/2 inches (41.9 cm).
Provenance: Important French Furniture & European Ceramics, Sotheby's, New York, October 24, lot 2003, lot 65.
Notes:The design is characteristic of the neoclassical style of the late Louis XVI period, this model after Claude-Michel Clodion (1738-1814), renowned for his cherub figures and sensual decorative compositions.
Related literature for similar Clodion-derived models produced by Francois Remond and Pierre-Philippe Thomire:
Pierre Verlet, Les Bronzes dorés francais du XVIII siecle, Paris, 1987;
Anne Poulet et Guillaume Scherf, Catalogue de l'exposition Clodion, Paris, 1992, pp. 145, 147, 149;
Hans Ottomeyer & Peter Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. 1, p. 210, no. XXVIII.
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Auction: The Collection of Lucille Coleman, Sep 9, 2025
DOYLE to Auction The Collection of Lucille Coleman
Series of Sales to Begin on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 with a Dedicated Single-Owner Auction
DOYLE is honored to present The Collection of Lucille Coleman, a refined and wide-ranging assemblage of fine art, furniture, decorative objects, and Asian works of art from the esteemed New York collector and philanthropist known for her generosity, taste, and deep civic commitment. The series of auctions will commence with a dedicated single-owner sale on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10am, followed by select category-specific auctions, including Asian Works of Art, Important Paintings, Prints & Multiples, and Fine Art through December.
Lucille Coleman was a gracious presence in New York’s philanthropic and cultural circles. Known for her exceptional taste and quiet generosity, she brought elegance to every endeavor—from her thoughtful collecting to her steadfast support of charitable organizations. Among her many philanthropic commitments, she maintained a decades-long relationship with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, which honored her contributions by naming a residential tower on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Her collection reflects a life dedicated to beauty, legacy, and meaningful engagement with the world around her.
The initial single-owner sale will focus on Mrs. Coleman’s superb collection of furniture and decorative arts, featuring standout pieces such as a Late Louis XV ormolu-mounted kingwood, tulipwood, and parquetry commode and a Russian silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel tea service. These are complemented by an extensive selection of American and Continental silver, offering a glimpse into a home curated with refinement and purpose.
Further auctions will highlight the breadth of her interests, including a remarkable group of Asian works of art. Chief among them is a rare and important ensemble of Japanese Meiji figural bronzes crafted by leading workshops of the period—pieces originally intended to awe Western audiences with their romantic vision of Japanese culture. Additional highlights include two gilt-bronze seated figures of Amitayus and a monumental Japanese bronze figure of an ascetic atop a lion dog, each exemplifying the extraordinary artistry and symbolism of the region.
Mrs. Coleman’s passion for European modernism is also reflected in her collection of paintings by artists such as Louis Valtat, Bernard Buffet, Gustave Loiseau, and Maurice de Vlaminck. These works—ranging from bold Fauvist compositions to lyrical post-Impressionist landscapes—underscore her keen eye for color, form, and expressive beauty.
Through its expert stewardship of single-owner collections, DOYLE will bring Mrs. Coleman’s legacy to a broad collecting audience while honoring her commitment to excellence, connoisseurship, and philanthropy.
Exhibition & Auctions of The Collection of Lucille Coleman
All of the property from The Collection of Lucille Coleman will be exhibited together on Saturday, September 6 through Monday, September 8.
In addition to the single-owner sale on September 9, property from The Collection will also be featured in select sales this Fall:
Asian Works of Art – September 16-17, 2025
Jewelry Online – September 15, 2025
Fine Jewelry & Luxury Handbags – September 18, 2025
Prints & Multiples – October 23, 2025
Important European & American Art – November 12, 2025
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps – November 25, 2025
19th Century & Early Modernism – December 2025
SALE NOTICE
This sale will be presented as a live auction event conducted by an auctioneer. Place your bids conveniently using the following convenient methods:
- In Person
Experience the excitement of a live auction! We invite you to bid in person with a paddle in our saleroom. For information, please email client.services@Doyle.com - Absentee Bids
Enter your absentee bids directly into the online catalogue until 8am on the morning of the sale. For information on Absentee Bids, please email bids@Doyle.com - BidLive! Online Bidding
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Your completed Telephone Bid Form must be received by 4pm on the evening before the auction. Download the Telephone Bid Form - We are available to guide you through the entire bidding process and answer any questions you may have. Please contact us at bid.live@Doyle.com
PAYMENT
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