Sep 9, 2025 10:00 EST
The Collection of Lucille Coleman
9
Louis XV/XVI Transitional Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood, Tulipwood and Parquetry Commode
Estate / Collection: The Collection of Lucille Coleman
Stamped three times C. Saunier and JME, circa 1765
The later molded and shaped rectangular Pernice marble top above a paneled frieze with three foliate scroll inlaid drawers above two long drawers inlaid sans traverse with panels, all above a shaped apron centered by a medallion mount, the angles headed by a ram's head masks on cabriole legs and foliate feet.
Height 35 inches (88.9 cm), width 51 inches (129.5 cm), depth 22 1/2 inches (57.1 cm).
Claude-Charles Saunier maître 1752
Sold for $12,800
Estimated at $15,000 - $25,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Collection of Lucille Coleman
Stamped three times C. Saunier and JME, circa 1765
The later molded and shaped rectangular Pernice marble top above a paneled frieze with three foliate scroll inlaid drawers above two long drawers inlaid sans traverse with panels, all above a shaped apron centered by a medallion mount, the angles headed by a ram's head masks on cabriole legs and foliate feet.
Height 35 inches (88.9 cm), width 51 inches (129.5 cm), depth 22 1/2 inches (57.1 cm).
Claude-Charles Saunier maître 1752
Notes:Related literature: Pierre Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français Du XVIII-Siecle, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, 2002, page 812-824.
This commode exemplifies the refined and recognizable style of Claude-Charles Saunier. Its break-front form, harmonious gilt-bronze mounts, and clean, linear silhouette are hallmarks of his craftsmanship. The interplay of light and dark woods—expertly contrasted—further enhances the visual balance and sophistication of the piece.
Claude-Charles Saunier (1735-1807) became maître ébéniste in 1752 when he was just 17 years, born into a respected family of ébénistes. By 1757, he was working in the Parisian workshop of his father, Jean-Charles Saunier, located on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, an area which was well known for its furniture makers. While his early work reflected the ornate Rococo sensibilities of the Louis XV period, he soon embraced the emerging Neoclassical style that defined the transitional and Louis XVI eras—an aesthetic shift that would come to characterize his legacy.
His reputation extended far beyond France, his work was bought by wealthy clients, including Royal Households and European Nobility, and gaining international acclaim, particularly in London, through commissions arranged by the influential marchand-mercier Dominique Daguerre.
Saunier’s furniture can be found in some of the world’s top museums, like the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Musée Nissim de Camondo in Paris. He is remembered as one of the best furniture makers of his time.
With previous restorations, marble top later, minuscule traces of woodworm to underside, rubbing to mounts, age crack to proper right side, some mounts loose, lacking original key, old marks and scratches.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
Auction: The Collection of Lucille Coleman, Sep 9, 2025
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DOYLE Achieves Strong Results for The Collection of Lucille Coleman
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September 9, 2025 Auction Showcased Important Furniture & Decorative Arts
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Additional Property from the Collection Will Be Offered in Sales Through the Fall Season
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's auction of important furniture and decorative arts from The Collection of Lucille Coleman on September 9, 2025 attracted spirited bidding from both sides of the Atlantic. The sale marked the first in a series of auctions that will showcase the exceptional taste of the esteemed New York collector and philanthropist celebrated for her generosity, style, and civic engagement.
Auction Highlights
Highlighting the September 9 sale was a Russian silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel partial tea service by Gustav Klingert, dated 1892, that surpassed its $15,000-25,000 estimate to achieve an impressive $30,720. Gustav Klingert was a prominent silversmith and enameler working in Moscow prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917. Much of Klingert’s work, which was made for export, was retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York and was popular with American buyers. Such large sets of matching tea glass holders rarely appear on the auction market.
Among the standout furniture offerings was a circa 1760 Louis XV ormolu-mounted tulipwood, kingwood, and amaranth parquetry secrétaire à abattant by Jacques van Oostenrijk, called Dautriche, that realized $15,360. The Dutch-born ébéniste settled in Paris around 1743 and became renowned for his exquisitely crafted marquetry, gaining his maîtrise in 1765.
Lucille Coleman
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.
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 present Mrs. Coleman’s legacy to a broad collecting audience while honoring her commitment to excellence, connoisseurship, and philanthropy.
Upcoming Auctions
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
Fine Art: 19th Century & Early Modernism – December 9, 2025
