Featuring a selection of highlights curated by Amélie du Chalard, Maison d’Art

Discover the powerful influence of nature on the history of art in our online auction, Inspired by Nature: Fine and Decorative Arts. This sale brings together a vast selection of artistic interpretations of life and its wonders through the centuries and across cultures: from Old Master and modern paintings to European porcelain and Chinese jades. Highlights include a pastoral scene by Francois Boucher and a piece of contemporary jewellery by Claude Lalanne.

In celebration of the launch of this online auction, Christie’s invites Amélie du Chalard from Maison d’Art to curate a selection of highlights that evoke memories of previous travels.

‘Some great travellers collect stories, others bring back treasures, I’ve always loved the idea of acquiring a beautiful object from each place I visit. This selection of works from the sale, Inspired by Nature, makes me wonder what fond memories and adventures are behind each piece.

The two bronze Buddha statues take me back to my trips in Thailand and Laos. The 19th century Tibetan Thangka and the Chinese landscape scroll painting transport me to poetic sceneries. The lion mascaron and the stone bas-relief recall the architectural ornaments in Italy, while the two cornelian beetles could have been amongst the treasures I would bring back from a trip to Tuscany.

The originality of the Lalanne plate and the quatrefoil jade bowl, alongside the two Messagier bronze sculptures, strike me as very contemporary pieces and, at the same time, objects that could have been found in a cabinet of curiosities from another time or a faraway culture.’

Amélie du Chalard, Maison d’Art

Amélie du Chalard founded Amelie Maison d’art in 2015, art spaces where collectors are able to visualise the artworks in-situ before acquiring them. The gallery now represents 120 artists, working with a diverse range of mediums, and 30 designers.