Vis à Vis 1963

Mixed media (marker, watercolor) on paper. signed and dated lower right. Jean Cocteau was a multifaceted artist: writer, playwright, playwright, he also dabbled in visual arts, loving to experiment with all the avant-gardes of his century. Cocteau published his first book of drawings in 1923, at just 36 years old. In it the poet portrayed his friends Raymond Radiguet, Pablo Picasso, Erik Satie, Francis Poulenc, but also numerous scenes of daily life in Paris, Nijinski's Russian ballets, allegories, caricatures, poetic images. Cocteau revealed himself to be a talented sketcher, but above all an artist capable of capturing the essence of faces, behaviors, human weaknesses. The theme of the face, or rather of faces, often two profiles facing each other, vis à vis, recurs in his pictorial production. In 1962 the artist completed the construction of the open-air theatre in Cap d'Ail, on the French Mediterranean coast, whose flooring is decorated with this subject, two faces with a Greek profile facing each other, with an eye in between; the subject was then re-proposed by him in the following period - moreover the one imminent to his sudden death -, with different variations. In the drawing presented here we find the two Greek profiles, separated by the third eye but also by two twisted snakes, while in the drawing of the theatre we find leaves. The work is presented in a frame.

Carved Chair

Carved chair with classic Greek motifs from the late 19th century. Made of mountain-style beech wood, it features simple floral carvings and classic Greek motifs across the entire surface.

Germany, 1980s-1990s

Polychrome glass vase with inclusions. Manufacturer's adhesive label under the rim.

Europe, Early XX Century

Hand-painted ceramic wall planter with a blue floral motif. Unidentified brand on the back.

Italy, Late XIX - Early XX Century

Walnut shelf carved with leafy scroll decorations.

Wall mirror, on pressboard support, mirrored glass with decorative workmanship on the edge.

Emilia Romagna, Early XVIII Century

Large wardrobe supported by shelf feet, on the front it has two doors decorated with geometric tiles; leaf carvings present on the uprights, the hat is supported by a bracketed frame. In walnut.

Early XVIII Century

Pair of baroque chairs with shaped backs and padded seats upholstered in leather, Umbria, early 18th century. Walnut structure, crosspieces and spool front legs. A coat of arms is painted in the center of the backrests, which seems to correspond to the coat of arms of the Fedeli family of Spoleto, portraying a dressed faith (in heraldry the faith indicates two hands shaking) with a six-pointed gold star at the top. The leather covering of one seat was replaced in the 19th century.

Germany, XX Century

Dinnerware set for 12 people in white porcelain with decorations of bunches of flowers in shades of pink and in relief along the brim with leafy scrolls and plant motifs. Service composed of: 1 soup tureen, 24 dinner plates, 12 soup plates, 12 dessert plates, 4 trays, 1 gravy boat, 5 serving plates. Manufacturer's mark under the bases.

Wall mirror in mirrored glass and anodized aluminum frame. It has a small chip on the glass.

UK Size 14

Tailored shirt in pure ivory white silk with lace bodice and sleeves. Fits size 46 (length 58 cm, shoulders 39 cm, waist 100 cm).

Italy, 1960s-1970s

Enamelled silver Bersagliere on a chiselled base. On the front engraved with the inscription "Bersagliere 1860 Regno di Sardegna". Silver hallmarks engraved on the back of the base. Silversmith's mark barely legible. Approximately 310 grams.

Italy, Mid XIX Century

Pair of eclectic armchairs in carved, lacquered and gilded wood, Italy, mid-19th century. Wavy armrests ending in a curl, wavy legs; decorated with leaf and golden scroll carvings. Padded backs and seats.

111 x 63 In

Gabbè wool rug, coarse knot, handmade.

Italy, Mid XX Century

Jewellery box in chiseled silver supported by four feet. Interior in purple velvet. Silver hallmarks engraved on the inside edge. Silversmith's hallmark not legible. Approximately 230 grams.

120 x 83 In

Herat wool carpet, large knot, hand made.

France, Mid XX Century

Antique game table, supported by a central turned baluster resting on four wavy feet carved with leaf motifs and equipped with wheels, the under-top band features characteristic curled carvings; mahogany veneer, missing parts present.

Italy, Late XIX-Early XX Century

Neo-Renaissance cabinet supported by bracket feet, on the front it has two paneled doors and a drawer, raised with flap door carved with central coat of arms, two drawers in the band; wavy uprights. In walnut.

Italy, Mid XIX Century

Louis Philippe étagère supported by turned uprights, while the upper shelves rest on wavy uprights carved with leaf motifs; gilded, the upper part of the shaped shelves is lacquered.

Hat signed Pierre Cardin dating back to the 70s. It is in black felt enriched by a satin belt of the same color, the brim is 12 centimeters wide and the internal circumference 54 centimeters.