Henri VARENNE (1860-1934) - Lot 170

Sale of the contents of Edouard NIGNON's château

at the request of Maître Philippe PINSON, of SAS PINSON-EON,

notaries in Montauban-de-Bretagne and Rennes

PRIVATE EXHIBITION

Monday 11th to Thursday 14th September by appointment

PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS

Friday September 15, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm

Saturday, September 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To walk down the driveway leading to the Château de la Haute-Forêt at the far end of the park is to enter another world dedicated to excellence, rarity and originality.

Here, preserved and pampered by the heirs of an illustrious owner, Edouard NIGNON, everything seems to have remained in place since the early 20th century.

Greeted along the way by a terracotta companion to Diana, a pair of young Neapolitan bronze wrestlers and an exceptionally large Warwick crater, we arrive at the foot of the château designed by architect Jacques MELLET in 1858.

We are greeted by a double-flight staircase, punctuated by a series of cast-iron basins.

From the moment we enter, we are fascinated by the harmony that reigns here, and the richness and quality of the decor, preserved in an incredible state of preservation.

There are complete sets of furniture in every room, and even on the upper floors, which is rare.

The decor is sumptuous: marble by CARRIER BELLEUSE, ROUGELET, large bronze groups, numerous chandeliers with sconces, vases and bronze-mounted objects signed BARBEDIENNE and fine decorative objects, complete the unity and harmony of the premises.

We understand why one of the greatest French chefs of the 20th century, if not the greatest, having worked in the most famous palaces in England and Russia, rubbed shoulders with the most illustrious men of his time, opened great restaurants in Paris, and created the most essential recipes of international gastronomy, collected in reference works, has made this place a haven of beauty, serenity and inspiration.

Bertrand BERTHELOT

We would like to thank the owners for entrusting us with the expertise and transmission of this unique furniture heritage, which will join other epicureans and art lovers.