Meet the Specialist

What do you do at Bonhams?

I am Director of Bonhams France, based in Paris where we recently started holding auctions. Our Greek Sale is coming up on 19 May and the inaugural Paris Luxury: Montres et Chronographes de Prestige auction is on 20 May.

Where are you from? And what inspired you to go into the art world? 

Works of art are in my DNA. My parents are antique dealers, who had a shop in the south of France near Antibes. When I was little, I used to follow my father to all of the auctions. The pieces they sold were of wonderful quality and my father particularly loved furniture however that wasn’t what I wanted to do. Instead, I studied for a degree in marketing at the University of Toulouse, before moving to Paris, where I did a law degree and performed in a dance company.

What was your first job? 

Despite all my qualifications, it turned out that working for Tajan, one of France’s most venerable auction houses, was the most useful. I was worked in the ‘magasin’ – the warehouse – where everything was stored. Even though I was only 20 years old, I was expected to catalogue all the items from Islamic art to contemporary ceramics. Working with the specialists there was as good as studying for another degree.

 Name one of your  triumphs.

I arrived at Bonhams in 2012 and over the past eight years, the office has increased consignments by 1,000 per cent. One recent triumph was the sale of the Netsuke Collection belonging to the famous musician, Julius Katchen. I went to France to meet his heir and appraise a set of jewellery. I ended up leaving with enough consignments of incredible netsukes to fill three auctions, which made a total of more than £2.8 million.

What has changed in the business since you first started? 

For a long time in France very little changed in the auction world.  The legislation dated back from the 19th century and to qualify as an auctioneer, the French system used to require candidates to show their skill in valuing equipment such as farm machinery, factory parts and bread ovens, as well as art and its major movements. When I took the auction exam, I was shown a picture of a tree – and then a photograph of a commode. I had to identify the species of tree, and then explain the process by which it was transformed into a piece of 18th-century furniture.

Over the past ten years there has been a rapid and in depth transformation in the auction world, the increasing transition towards digital technology, has also allowed us to reach a much broader customer base.

What is your strength as a specialist? 

What I adore about my job is working with collectors to fulfil their wishes and to achieve the best result for them. I am also involved in the business and I even owned my own auction house. I had passed the qualifying exams to be an auctioneer, I said, ‘Why not?’. The house was called Auction Event, it had rooms on the Left Bank, and I began with sales in jewellery and Russian art.

Do you have a hidden talent? 

Dance has always been my favourite means of expression. I was part of a large contemporary dance company, and I considered making it my profession, now it seems like another age. Perhaps this gave me some kind of sensitivity to perceive emotions through other means than words, this allows me to understand art objects and artists in a slightly different manner.

Which work of art has changed your life? 

I worked on an exhibition at a private gallery in Paris, one of the objects on display was a stupendous 16th century armillary sphere. I loved the mathematical precision of the instrument, as well as the beauty, and the calming effect it had on me.

What's is exciting about your next sale?

I am very excited to have our next Paris Luxury Sale in our rue de la Paix offices for the first time. It makes perfect sense to have this sale held here in Paris as we are located so close to the Place Vendôme, the emblem of French luxury. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reach out and strengthen our relationship with our French clientele.

We have an incredible lot coming up which was offered by Pablo Picasso’s friend, Lela Kanellopoulou. It is a Michael Z. Berger Co. watch owned by the artist which he would wear while painting. Only three are known to exist. It is a lovely coincidence that we are offering this item in Paris at the same time as Femme au Béret Mauve, which was sold in Bonhams New York on 13 May for US$ 10,837,062 inc. premium. We will also be holding a Greek Art Sale for the first time in Paris on 19 May, which will contain an array of Greek artists, from masters to contemporary. 2021 is the 200^th anniversary of the Greek revolution and there will be several works associated with this being offered at this sale.

Catherine Yaiche is Director of Bonhams France and is based in Paris. She can be reached at catherine.yaiche@bonhams.com