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HISTORY OF THE FIRM
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| In the 1870s in Pantin
(which is located near Paris), Felix Doisteau, an industrialist, founded
the largest company for the purification of alcohol in Europe. Passionate
about objets d’art of the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, he began
an important collection. With the intention of becoming an expert in his
chosen field, he traveled the world to discover and study the marvels of
the best museums. Thus he assembled a magnificent and important collection
of furniture, objets d’art, paintings, drawings, silver…
bought principally from the most renowned antique dealers, and from the
most important auction sales of the period. |
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Jean-Pierre et Bernard Dillée
Maurice Rheims sale's
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As his son, Paul, did not
show the slightest interest in the field, Felix made numerous donations
to the Louvre, Carnavalet, and Arts Decoratifs museum, etc, notably,
a marvelous collection of gold snuff boxes, miniatures, Rouen ceramics,
and silver. He organized a series of important sales of his collections
between June 1909 and March 1937.
During the 1920s a close rapport developed between Felix Doisteau
and his young nephew, Bernard Dillée, so Felix decided to impart
his knowledge of decorative arts to him. Consequently, year by year,
Bernard Dillée was able to refine his knowledge in the field through
continuous exposure to marvelous furniture and objects. He also
participated in the sale of the collections so highly cherished
by his uncle.
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| At first Bernard Dillée
formed a partnership with the expert Georges Guillaume, but then soon
became independent and was named Expert for the Court. He continued
to organize the most highly regarded auction sales working notably
with the auctioneer Maurice Rheims, and also in exclusivity with the
auctioneer E. Ader. His firm became number one in France. He organized
numerous sales in Paris, Geneva, and Monaco, notably the famous silver
collection of Puiforcat, today on display in the Louvre. |
He followed with catalogues
of well-known collections: Anterior Patino, Henri de Rotschild, and
many other.
In the 1960s his son, Jean-Pierre who was raised in the surroundings
of outstanding collections, followed the requisite training programme
to become an expert. After having the patronage of Pierre Verlet,
he entered the Union of Experts in Objets d’Art (la Chambre
Syndicale des Experts en Œuvres d’Art).
In view of his outstanding knowledge he was named expert for the
French Customs Commission, which he subsequently integrated into
the tribunal, Cour de Cassation, where he still continues
to be expert for XVIIIth. century decorative arts. He has organised
some of the most renowned auction sales throughout Europe for over
30 years. He is widely recognised and holds many honours. For over
ten years now, his son Guillaume, has followed the path of this
family tradition, having been encouraged both by his grandfather
and father.
Guillaume has trained with an ebeniste in order to learn
all the techniques of assembling and restoration of furniture. He
studied at the Ecole du Louvre, followed by work for
several months in New York at the Wildenstein Gallery, and he has
organised sales, donations, and bequests. Today he organises great
public sales in the same vein of curiosity and enthusiasm as his
father and grandfather, always aware that a great masterpiece is
often hidden where it is least expected.
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