Commissioned in 1781 by Charles X, the count of Artois and younger brother of reigning king Louis XVI, the painting was passed down to the Count’s godson before entering the line of descent to the Comte and Comtesse de Ribes. Leading the paintings is Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun’s rediscovered Juno borrowing the belt of Venus (estimate: €11.5 million), which had been believed lost since 1803 and until now had only been known from a preparatory study. Major paintings and prestigious commissions Built up by two generations of bibliophiles, Édouard de Ribes (1923-2013) and his father Jean (1893-1982) – both members of the prestigious Société des Bibliophiles François – the exceptionally diverse library has only been seen by a few select visitors until now. The second sale is a sanctuary for fine books, featuring precious volumes from the 16th to the 21st centuries. Eminent figures from the decorative and fine arts are represented, including Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Hubert Robert, André-Charles Boulle and Bernard II Vanrisamburgh. Famed previous owners include Louis XIV and XV at the Château de Versailles, Louis XVI at the Château de Saint-Cloud, the Count of Artois at the Palais du Temple, Marie-Antoinette and the Duke of Orléans. The first auction will be dedicated to the “treasures” of the collection – exceptional pieces boasting remarkable provenance that have been passed down through the ages by distinguished historical figures. In line with this, part of the proceeds from the sale will benefit philanthropic causes and cultural organisations. The Count and Countess were recognised as respected patrons in the art world, and the intellectual and artistic elite would gather at their home for parties that encapsulated the French “art de vivre”. They were also keen collectors, acquiring works of the highest-quality to enhance the sumptuous and sophisticated décor of their mansion. In the exquisite setting of their “Hotel Particulier”, built in 1865, Edouard de Ribes and his wife Jacqueline, née de Beaumont, were custodians of an exquisite collection of objects that had entered the family in the 18th century. Held over two sessions, the auction will present artworks, fine books and manuscripts from the family’s ancestral home in Paris – covering three centuries of French history. On 11 and 12 December, Sotheby’s Paris will offer for sale a selection of historical pieces from the collection of the Count and Countess de Ribes. The name “de Ribes” resonates internationally with a timeless sense of style – the essence of French chic and elegance. Vietnam, Décorations d'Annam et d'Indochine.Vietnam, Céramique & Terre cuite /Vietnamese Ceramics.Statuaire bouddhiste / Buddisht Sculpture.Peinture vietnamienne / Vietnamese Paintings.Monnaies vietnamiennes/Vietnamese coins.Instruments de musique/Musical Instruments.Faïence & Porcelaine française/French Ceramics.Faïence & Porcelaine européenne/European Ceramics.Chine, Objets de lettrés / Treasures of the Chinese Scholar.Chine, Monochromes / Chinese monochromes.Art Moderne & Contemporain/Modern & Contempory Art.Art du XVIIIème siècle / 18th century art.Art du XIXème siècle / 19th century Art.Art du XIVème siècle / 14th century Art.Art du XIIIème siècle / 13th century art.Art de la Mode et du Textile/Fashion & Textil Art.A sancai-glazed pottery jar, Tang dynasty.

A Yaozhou celadon-glazed moulded ‘fish’ bowl, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127).A Yaozhou carved and moulded 'peony and small bird' bowl, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127).

A rare small 'oil spot' bowl, Jin dynasty.

A superb and rare Cizhou russet-splashed black-glazed 'partridge feather' vase, Northern Song dynasty.

Bowl with the Three Friends of Winter, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Xuande Period (1426-1435).

Basin and Ewer with Five-clawed Dragons, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Xuande Period (1426-1435).

Blue and white figure of an Immortal, Ming dynasty, Wanli reign (1573-1620), Shanghai Museum.

Australia will return looted sculptures to Cambodia.

Property from the Ezekiel Collection sold at Sotheby's London, 3 November 2021.

Gem-set, mother-of-pearl, lacquer and diamond 'Chinese fan' brooch.

Timeless treasures oil paintings