Raymond Guest Collection to auction at Christie's Paris

Christie's has announced that it will sell the Mr and Mrs Raymond Guest Collection as part of its 500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe auction in Paris on April 22.

Emilio Terry Raymond Guest furniture auction
Emilio Terry's work was favoured by French royals, as demonstrated by The Collection of the Prince and Princess Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne sale at Sotheby's in April 2012



Raymond Guest was the US ambassador to Ireland and a thoroughbred racehorse owner. His wife, Caroline, was born Princess Caroline Murat and was a member of the imperial family of France. Their Parisian apartment overlooking Parc Monceau was furnished by the illustrious Cuban interior designer Emilio Terry.

"Terry was one of the major figures of 20th century interior design. Complete ensembles such as this one are very rare on the market. The apartment of the ambassador and Mrs Raymond Guest, untouched since it was put together, holds an incontestable importance in Terry's work, and will no doubt attract interest from connoisseurs around the world," said Christie's head of furniture, Simon de Monicault.

Two works designed by Terry highlight the collection: a marble neoclassical fireplace estimated at $10,500-16,000 and a unique carpet produced specifically for the apartment, which is expected to see bids of $26,500-40,000.

Also starring is an 18th century royal encoignure created by the renowned ebeniste Jean-Henri Riesener for the Chateau de Compiegne. According to Christie's, the piece "embodies the Louis XVI style" and is also estimated at $26,500-40,000.

The auction will see 200 lots from the collection that will realise around $1.3m.

Emilio Terry's work was clearly favoured by French nobility, as demonstrated by The Collection of the Prince and Princess Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne Lauranguais sale at Sotheby's in April 2012.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a fantastic selection of the finest English furniture available, including a spectacular John Linnell commode, a Holland & Sons card table and a set of steps that were made for the Gonville Caius library at Cambridge.

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