Soutine in Provence; Meissen in Versailles

This animated landscape in Provence, painted in around 1922 by Chaïm Soutine, more than lived up to its promise by landing €912,000—over four times its high estimate—from a European collector. It is true that the work (60 x 73 cm/23.6 x 28.7 in), seemingly buffeted by the mistral wind, belongs to the specific period of 1918-1923, when the Parisian artist, then living between Cagnes and Céret, drew inspiration from the landscapes of the South. There, the village houses clinging to the slopes and the trees shaken by the wind provided perfect Expressionist motifs. This iconic composition was one of the highlights of the unique collection of Montmartre pharmacist Victor Bossuat, who focused on paintings from the first Paris school, encompassing Modigliani, Utrillo and Vlaminck.

Illustrating the explorations of the post-war period, a watercolor with characteristic sharp ink strokes followed, with the signature of Bernard Buffet and the title Nature morte au homard (Still Life with Lobster: 50 x 64 cm/19.7 x 25.2 in). Signed and dated 1958, and bearing David & Garnier stamp no. "22 A", the drawing went for €50,400. On the decorative arts side, a porcelain hot chocolate cup and saucer attracted a lot of attention (even with a missing handle) before being preempted by the Château de Versailles at €7,200. They belonged to the famous polychrome and gold service decorated with the arms of France and Poland given in 1737 by King Augustus III of Saxony to Queen Marie Leszczynska, of which a few pieces have reappeared at auction recently (h. 6.5 cm/2.6 in).

Then came a surprise, with the €24,600 garnered by a set of four oblong albums dating from 1900-1930, containing 500 photos of jewelry on silver paper (29 x 41 cm/11.4 x 16.1 in), from the archives of Marret Frères & Banselin.