François Hayem, the Spirit of a Carré Rive Gauche Antiques Dealer

Saying that François Hayem loves antiques would be an understatement. He has been passionate about them since his teenage years, which led him to seek out the most beautiful and original pieces for the collectors and designers who step into his spacious gallery on rue du Bac in the heart of Carré Rive Gauche, where he was a prominent figure for decades. Today, Mr. Hayem is moving on. He may be shuttering his gallery, but he will continue living his dream, going back on the road in search of the next find. To do that, he is scaling down by putting over 400 lots up for sale at Drouot , pieces that he exhibited in his shop, stored in the reserves or kept at home. The sale’s scope reflects an eclectic, inquisitive mind that looks beyond the 18th century, even though that is what made Mr. Hayem famous. Mr. Hayem is a tight-lipped man, a key quality in his milieu. However, he does confess to having worked with “the greatest French and international designers, famous names synonymous with refinement and culture like Joseph Achkar and Michel Charrière, who brilliantly restored the Hôtel de la Marine , Anthony Ingrao and Luc Bouveret.” As his friend, designer and interior architect Roxane Rodriguez, says…