The Royal and the Rich: Objets de Luxe of the Privileged Class

This exhibit consists of up to 45 items dating from the 17th century to the 20th century. It includes a wide range of items including portraits, rare books, decorative arts and antiquities. You can view a complete catalog here.

The Royal and the Rich exhibition includes Objets de Luxe such as these plates from the famous Hunt service of King Louis-Philippe of France. The Hunt service was created exclusively for use at the Royal Château of Fontainebleau. Other pieces from the service may be found at the Musée du Louvre, Fontainebleau, several museums in the United States, and on display at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Included are stunning period portraits: A full-length portrait, circa 1650, of Ferdinand II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, by court painter Justus Sustermans, which measures over 7 feet high; a full-length, life-size portrait, circa 1620, of a great 17th century Spanish general, Don Alonso de Vargas, who served under Philip III and Philip IV; and portraits from courtiers of Versailles.

Some porcelains are also in the exhibit, including Sevres dinnerware from the reigns of Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III. There are also important bronzes from France, examples of silver items used at table, including some Russian pieces, and individual items of gilt-bronze and marble.

Also included are exquisite, illuminated 17th and 18th century patents of Nobility from Austria and Germany, signed by the kings and queens with royal seals still affixed; incredible gilded leather bound books belonging to the kings and queens of France, including Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, bearing the arms of the ill-fated queen; and rare books belonging to Madame du Pompadour and Madame du Barry, both mistresses of Louis XV.

A special treat are educational books belonging to Marie Antoinette’s son, the Dauphin, which were printed excusively for his education.

Decorative arts include a matching pair of late 18th century/early 19th century candelabra in gilt and bronze in the style of Pierre-Philippe Thomire depicting mythical figures; French clocks, including a large malachite and gilt clock, circa 1815, and a fabulous clock in gilt bronze in the shape of a ruined church, very much in the style of the 19th century Romantic period; and personal Russian icons covered in gilt-silver.

Some ancient items are included, such as an approximately 2,500-year-old Etruscan water pitcher, which work nicely with a pair of 18th century volumes by Bayardi detailing the excavations at Herculaneum, near Pompeii. These were for his highness, the Duke of Parma, later Charles III, King of Spain. The books are heavily gilded with the arms of the Grand Duke on the covers. Publication of these books helped fuel the 18th century craving for anything Greek, Roman, Etruscan and Egyptian, a craze which lasted well into the 20th century.

If you are interested in borrowing this exhibit, please contact us.