Monday, February 3, 2014

Galerie Ariane Dandois: A Nostalgia for Neoclassical Eclecticism



For some it is easy to let it go, and prosaically opt for forget about it. But, for connoisseurs that are use to frequenting a storied place for inspiration, it is extremely diffcult to forget about it, and let it go. So, it is with me when it comes to Ariane's Dandois's Galerie, which was located at 92 rue du Faubourg Saint Honore. In recent times, when I'm in Paris as I wander from one antiques gallery to another on rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, I feel I'm missing a fix - a fix, which is accurately describe in terms of the best of neoclassical eclecticism,  exemplified by Galerie Ariane Dandois.

Madame  Dandois was the grand dame of Parisian antiquarians for more than 34 years, and at it heights her gallery boasted of more than 1,500 pieces of  18th- and 19th-century French, Russian, Swedish and Baltic antiques. Galerie Ariane Dandois opened in 1974 was closed in 2007 culminating in the auction of about 700 signature and style pieces by Sotheby's in October 25 and 27, 2007, which grossed more than $32 million well above the pre-high estimate of $20 million. The exhibition for the auction, which occupied the 10th floor of Sotheby's gallery in New York, was designed by  Juan Pablo Molyneux as an inspirational overtone to the Hermitage Palace. 

Galerie Ariane Dandois   was a bastion for neoclassical eclecticism; sorely missed but not forgotten. 

Pictures below were variously sourced from Sotheby's, Architectural Digest and others.


Ariane Dandois
Ariane Dandois, Christian Deydier (of Galerie Christian Deydier) and Ondine de Rothschild (Ariane's daughter)
 Ondine de Rothschild, Vanessa Gou, and Ariane Dandois