Real Shabby Chic

This week at Sotheby's is an auction of Noblesse Obilge a vast collection of furniture, paintings and ornaments from the 18th and 19th centuries from the aristocratic families of Italy and France. I went to look at it and was fascinated to see the real shabby chic.

A Italian Neo Classical parcel-gilt painted green and yellow commode, mid 18th century

    

A carved gilt wood armchair probably German late 18th century

Pair of carved gilt wood, Louis XVI, stamped 1785

Ivory painted parcel-gilt footstool Louis XVI style, 19th century

Pair of carved beechwood Bergeres chairs, Louis XV mid 18th century

 Italian lacquered bedside commode, Venetian mid 18th century

 Carved gilt wood salon suite Louis XV style 19th century

Chair to accompany the suite

Carved beechwood and parcel-gilt caned chair, mid 18th century

5 piece blue and white garniture 20th century

The auction is on Thursday, there is still a chance to see the hundreds of pieces of furniture, paintings, china and other items from this period that still has much influence on our tastes today.