THE WRIGHTSMAN SALE AT SOTHEBYS: MUSEUM MARVELS ON THE BLOCK

In the world of collecting antiques at the very top end of the market, few names are as recognizable for their love of the arts as The Wrightsman's. With their own wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they know a thing or two about collecting on a grand scale. On April 28th, Sotheby's New York will have a sale includes the contents of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman's apartment at 21 St. James Place in London. As consummate collectors, they have amassed one of the world's best museum-quality collections of French 18th Century furniture and decorative accessories. With homes in New York and Palm Beach decorated in a similar French style, with unbelievable collections of the best French furniture, rugs, porcelain and historically significant objects, they are closing the doors on their London home. Over the years they have worked with several interior decorators, including Henri Samuel, Stephane Boudin and Daniel Hamel. They decided to de-accession their Palm Beach possessions in 1984, and the opportunity to live with a piece of history and beauty from their collection is once again here. If you are shopping for a client or just to educate yourself and train your eye with museum specimens, visit Sotheby's for a walk through. For details, visit Sotheby's website. Post script: The sale ended up bringing in $8,457,967, far surpassing the pre-sale high estimate of $3.7 million.

The Drawing Room

Another shot of the living room fireplace

The Bedroom done in a French blue and white floral.

A 19th Century 5 panel Victorian Needlepoint Screen

Regency Mahogany Titchmarch and Goodwin Round Bookshelf

A Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hexagonal Cloisonne Lamps

Orange Moire Slipcovered Slipper Chairs with a pleated skirt and bows running down the back sides.

Louis XVI Banquette

A statuesque George III Urn

Mid 19th Century Bessarabian Kilim