Press Release | Paris | 17 June 2013 For Immediate Release

MAGNIFICENT CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

A collection of almost 600 works offered for sale in Paris 16 October 2013

Interior shot the collection of Jacques and Galila Hollander, in their home in Belgium

Paris - Christies is pleased to announce the sale of an extraordinary cabinet of curiosities , to take place in Paris on

16 October this year. The collection comprises approximately 600 works, including paintings, drawings, furniture and objets dart, spanning periods from Antiquity to the 17th century. The entire collection, with an estimated value of 4,000,000 to 6,000,000, was amassed during the second half of the 20th century by renowned collector Jacques and Galila Hollander. Since their wedding in 1975, the couple spent all of their free time gathering marginalised treasures, conserving and displaying the works in a spectacular fashion within the tradition of a Renaissance Kunstkammer. Grgoire Debuire, Valuations Director, stated: Disclosing the sale of this cabinet of curiosities to art lovers around the globe is a long-awaited and very special event. The return of a Kunstkammer trend is unprecedented, visible throughout interior design magazines to contemporary art installations, however, a collection of this quality is rarely offered on the market. The profusion and quality of works, and the flair with which they were chosen, make this collection a work of art in itself.

It took almost 50 years and a particularly keen eye to create this theatrum mundi. It was almost by accident that at the age of 17, Jacques Hollander began his collection of rare and unusual objects, noticing their value before anyone else. Irresistibly attracted by a set of porcelain cups and saucers in a window shop of La Chausse dIxelles, he purchased them and sold them only a few metres down the street, for almost twice as much. This was the start of his addiction, in the words of his wife Galila, who shares with him this all-consuming passion. Galila Barzila-Hollander comments: Jacques had a gift for spotting rare and genuine objects instantly, and this was strengthened by his exceptional photographic memory. I believe he would not have chosen me, had he not discerned the same kind of abilities in me, which we cultivated together even our honeymoon was spent scouring antique shops!

Double portrait of Jacques and Galila created for their 20th wedding birthday "photo-painting Georges-Charles Vanrijk"

The couples curiosity and thirst for knowledge were boundless. They ferreted through fairs and junk shops, auctions and antique shops, without confining themselves to specific categories. Their search led to acquiring paintings and drawings of all sorts, masterpieces of virtuosity carved in ivory or rock crystal, furniture, weapons and objects from every continent. It is precisely their eclectic and spontaneous nature which allowed the collection to naturally take the form of a cabinet of curiosities, long before the concept came back into fashion. The objects in the sale belong to categories brought forth by a method of classification used by 17th century scholars: Arteficialia (or artefacta - the products of Man), which includes a bowl with a turned and carved ivory lid (estimate: 120,000-180,000, illustration below), Naturalia (products of nature) such as a pair of corals on a turned ivory plinth (estimate: 15,000-25,000, illustration below), as well as Scientifica (scientific objects) or even Exotica, that which relates to exotic plants and animals.

Cup and its cover, molded and turned ivory Germany, probably Nuremberg, XVIIth century Estimate: 120,000 180,000

White marble crane Germany or Italy, XVIIth or XVIIIth century Estimate: 10,000 15,000

Pair or corals on their ivory base XVIIth century and later Estimate: 15,000 25,000

Right: A collection of objects arranged together according to iconography, geography, and medium Left: 17th century Flemish still-life and sculpture, antique statue and a Japanese lacquered vault

The countless treasures acquired by the collectors quickly outgrew their home on the outskirts of Brussels. To solve the problem, Jacques and Galila Hollander built a neoclassical structure in the form of a rotunda to house their collection. Upon entering this stunning private museum, a large wall of 33 inset glass display cases form a sort of mysterious giant chessboard (illustrated on page 1). Opaque at first sight, the display cases are then successively lit by an ingenious computerised system, revealing the treasures collected by the couple. With impeccable taste and curating flair, Jacques and Galila arranged, presented and displayed works of art and objects in the collectors arrangements so beloved by Marcel Proust, offering windows that reveal different worlds full of character, where compositions unite specific techniques or a materials, through a variety of works with common origin or iconographic theme. Displayed in this way, the collection in itself becomes an object of contemplation. After Jacques Hollanders death in 2004, Galila decided to keep the collection as it was. This auction will act as a testimony, a tribute to her husbands exceptional eye and taste. Galilas latest venture focuses on contemporary art. In 2005, I went to the Armory Show in New York, thinking I was going to an exhibition of armour, Galila recalls. I surprised myself by buying a first work, then a second Id got the bug again. Almost 1000 artists are now represented in her collection, created with the same exploratory and unprejudiced spirit that she developed with Jacques. A selected compendium will be exhibited at Christies in Paris at the time of the sale. Auction: Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:00 am & 2:00 pm. Public exhibition: Saturday 12, Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 October, 10:00 am 6:00 pm Christies Paris: 9 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris

CONTACT: Beverly Bueninck | +33 1 40 76 84 08 | bbueninck@christies.com

About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2012 that totalled 3.92 billion/$6.27 billion. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 631.3 million/$1 billion in 2012, an increase of 26% on the same period last year. Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the Middle East, with successful sales, exhibitions and initiatives in Moscow, Baku, Beijing, Mumbai, Delhi, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.. *Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers or sellers credits. ### Images on request Visit Christies Website at www.christies.com Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christies iPhone app

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