Art Collection
The interior and gardens are adorned with beautiful pieces of art and objet’s d’art from the owner’s private collection. An art lover and passionate conservationist, many of the pieces on display have rich tales to tell.
The George III-style molded and cut cobalt and clear glass 16-light chandelier that hangs over the grand staircase hung originally in Tavern on the Green, New York City. It features delicate details with stunningly bright blue trim. The elaborate faceted and star-cut baluster standard supports a serrated dish issuing two tiers of faceted s-scrolled arms above a pineapple drop pendant, hung throughout with beaded garlands, bells, and tendrils.
A limited edition print of a unique piece by French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 - 1901) hangs on display in the Georgian building. Lautrec's smallest poster is also the only one executed by him on zinc plates and the only one printed in the United States. He sent the plates to the Cincinnati ink and printing company, Ault & Wiborg, who commissioned it from him. It represents the actress Emilienne d'Alencon and Lautrec's cousin, Dr. Gabriel Tapie de Celeyran in a loge. In 1946, the Chicago Art Institute used the original plate to produce 100 limited edition prints before defacing the plate. This is one of these.
An art deco poster collection includes one of the most spectacular travel posters of all time, by French artist Roger Broders (1883 – 1953). From ca. 1926, Broders brings us a magical glimpse of Vichy straight out of an F. Scott Fitzgerald story. Embracing all the elegance and grandeur of the Roaring Twenties, fashionable couples gather beneath Chinese lanterns while a ballet is performed upon a floating stage. For those eager to get a closer glimpse of the show, glamorous gondolas glide around the lake, lit from above by silver fireworks.
The feature wall, also known as ‘The Jazz Wall’ is a stunning reproduction of panels depicting ‘The Joy of Life’ by artist Lillian Gaertner that were originally on display in the proscenium at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York (1927 - 1966). Designed by famed Austrian American ‘Gilded Age’ designer, architect, illustrator and set designer Joseph Urban, the theatre was razed to the ground in 1966, despite much protest, to make way for a new skyscraper.
The original Joy of Life panels was saved and are now part of the owner’s private collection in the United States.
In the garden a stunning late 19th century bronze statue ‘Gloire Au Merite’ by Belgian sculptor Auguste de Wever (1836 – 1884) takes pride of place.