For Immediate Release 4 April 2012

Contact:

Leonie Pitts

+44 (0)20 7752 3121

lpitts@christies.com

AT CHRISTIES LONDON ON 26 APRIL

London Christies is pleased to announce the forthcoming Antiquities sale and The Groppi Collection, to be held on Thursday, 26 April 2012 at Christies South Kensington saleroom. Altogether featuring 397 lots, the auction is expected to realise between 5.8 million and 8.6 million. The April sale follows a successful 2011 for Christies Antiquities department, with sales totaling 8.74 million in London, a testament to Christies leadership in the European Antiquities market. The auction is led by The Groppi Collection a family collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts originally formed by Achille Groppi between the 1920s-40s. Totaling 107 lots, the collection comprises a variety of objects, mainly rare Egyptian glass tiles, and is expected to realise 700,000 to 1,100,000. *A separate Press Release is attached. One of the most important lots in the sale, and the largest, standing at over 4 feet high, is an Egyptian limestone cult statue of Nectanebo I - the first king of the last dynasty in Egypt and the last major native pharaoh (estimate: 600,000-900,000) illustrated left. Dating to circa 380-362 B.C. this statue is an important addition to the corpus of royal sculpture from the Late Period there are almost no examples that compare to this statue in terms of size, subject-matter and excellence of preservation. The Louvre has a head identified as Nectanebo I in its collections. Exceptional Provenance The auction showcases works of exceptional provenance, including property from the Hubertus Wald Charitable Foundation and the estate of Renate Wald; and the collection of photographer Bob Willoughby, famous for his iconic portraits of his muse Audrey Hepburn. Unseen on the market in over thirty years, a Roman bronze chariot fitting in the form of a pantheress, circa 1st-2nd century A.D., is offered for sale from a Private Collection, having once graced the highlyesteemed collections of Baron Eugen Miller von Aichholz (1835-1919), Camillo Castiglioni (1879-1957) and Greta S. Heckett (estimate: 100,000-150,000) illustrated on

ANTIQUITIES

catalogue cover see end. A Cypriot limestone male head, circa 460-450 B.C., was previously in the collection of Hector-Martin Lefuel (1810-1880) architect under Napolon III, whose most famous project was the completion of the Palais du Louvre, Paris (estimate: 40,000-60,000) illustrated above right. Similar examples are in the Collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and The Louvre, Paris. And from a European Family, a Roman archaistic marble herm of Hermes Propylaios, circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. (estimate: 50,000-80,000) illustrated above left. The herm has been handed down through generations of the family since it was acquired circa 1896 by Don Fernando de Contreras and Francisca Prez de Herrasti, Spain, from the sale of the property of Mariano Tllez Girn y Beaufort Spontin (1814-1882), 12th Duke of Osuna, Spain, Russia, and Belgium. A Knight of the Spanish Order of Toisn de Oro, The Duke attended Queen Victorias coronation and Napolon IIIs marriage to Eugenia de Montijo and was based in St Petersburg from 1856-1862. There he was known for his extravagant parties attended by all Russian nobility which caused the ruin of his great fortune and led him to auction most of his property.

The ownership in antiquity of this important Roman parcel gilt silver fluted bowl is known from the inscription on the base in Graeco-Bactrian, which reads Property of Mawe-guzg probably the name of the individual who commissioned the piece and suggests a date of around the 3rd Century A.D. (estimate: 300,000-400,000) illustrated right.

Gold Rush The sale also includes, thirty-nine lots of ancient jewellery, ranging from affordable ancient intaglios and necklaces starting from around 1,000 to a spectacular Greek gold wreath, circa 3rd-2nd century B.C. estimated at 100,000-150,000 illustrated below. Formerly from Hever Castle in Kent, the wreath sold at Christies London in 1987 for 15,400. In antiquity, gold wreaths were frequently given as prizes for athletics contests, bestowed by the State as a mark of honour and glory. They were also used in religious processions, as funerary decorations and were popular dedicatory offerings made in temples. Further highlights from the jewellery section include a Greek gold snake armlet, circa 4th-2nd century B.C. (estimate: 80,000-100,000) and an Ostrogothic gold bracelet, circa late 5th-early 6th century A.D. (estimate: 80,000-120,000).

### High resolution images and further information available upon request Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christies iPhone app Please click here to view the Antiquities Department Page Online

Notes to Editors: Public Exhibition: Saturday, 21 April: 11.00am 5.00pm Sunday, 22 April: 11.00am 5.00pm Monday, 23 April: 9.00am 7.30pm Tuesday, 24 April: 9.00am 5.00pm Wednesday, 25 April: 9.00am 5.00pm

Auction: Antiquities and The Groppi Collection 26 April 2012 at 10.30am Ecatalogue: The full catalogue is available to view online now, please click Christies South Kensington Open seven days a week, Christies South Kensington is one of the busiest salerooms in the UK attracting over 200,000 visitors each year. With over 100 sales and offering more than 20,000 lots annually, estimates start from 300. Interiors sales dedicated to home furnishings are held three times a month alongside regular Sunday sales of single-owner collections. Specialised sales for the avid collector are scheduled throughout the year according to category, and include Film Posters, Pop Memorabilia, Antiquities, Jewellery, 20th Century British Art and Chinese Works of Art, among others. In 2011 Christies South Kensington realised the highest ever total for the second successive year with sales of 115.9 million / $186.6 million. About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 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 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous 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 the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai 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. CHRISTIES SOUTH KENSINGTON 85 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD OPENING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK Monday: 9.00am 7.30pm Tuesday Friday: 9.00am 5.00pm Saturday & Sunday: 11.00am - 5.00pm WWW.CHRISTIES.COM Prices do not include buyers premium

For Immediate Release 5 March 2012 Contact: Leonie Pitts +44 (0)20 7752 3121 lpitts@christies.com

THE GROPPI COLLECTION AT CHRISTIES:

Egyptian Golden Age to Golden Twenties

Inside The Groppi Caf, 1930s

Achille Groppi, 1940s

The Groppi Caf, Present day

London - Christies is proud to announce the sale of The Groppi Collection a family collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts originally formed by Achille Groppi between the 1920s-40s. Totalling 107 lots, the collection comprises a variety of objects, mainly rare Egyptian glass tiles, some measuring only 2 cm high, components of Ancient Egyptian palace walls, furniture or funerary decoration. The collection will be offered at auction on the morning of Thursday, 26 April 2012; it is expected to realise 700,000 to 1,100,000. Originating from Switzerland, Achilles father Giacomo Groppi established his first patisserie in Alexandria in 1884. Together Giacomo and Achille continued the venture in Cairo, opening Maison Groppi in 1907, which soon relocated to the now iconic Art Deco building in the heart of Cairo, still bearing the name Groppi illustrated above. The Groppi Caf quickly became a popular rendez-vous for Egyptian and Middle Eastern royalty and elite, epitomising Cairos glamour and splendour and effortlessly combining restaurant and dance hall, catering for large scale banquets whilst also serving Groppis world famous confiserie and ice cream. Achille Groppi was passionate about Egypts flora and fauna and found in ancient mosaic glass Egypts finest and most complex works of art. He became one of the preeminent collectors of ancient Egyptian glass amassing a collection of over 700 pieces. The Groppi provenance remains highly prized among collectors, and this rare opportunity to obtain items directly from the Groppi family is likely to excite connoisseurs of ancient art. A selection of highlights is illustrated below.

Lot 29: An Egyptian glass face inlay of Akhenaten or Nefertiti, New Kingdom, Amarna Period, Dynasty XVIII, circa 13531336 B.C. 4.2 cm. high Estimate: 80,000-120,000

Lot 107: An Egyptian mosaic glass inlay with head of a Maenad, Ptolemaic period, circa 1st century B.C. 3.8 x 3.4 cm. Estimate: 15,000-20,000

Lot 87: An Egyptian mosaic glass falcon head inlay, Ptolemaic period, circa 2nd-1st century B.C. 2.4 cm. high Estimate: 20,000-30,000

Lots 1&2: Three Egyptian mosaic glass fragmentary fish, Ptolemaic-Roman period, circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., 11 in. (28 cm.) long max Estimate: 8,000-12,000 per lot

Lot 47: An Egyptian bronze Wepwawet standard terminal, Late period, circa 7th-6th century B.C., 5.3/4 in. (14.5 cm.) high Estimate: 30,000-50,000

Lot 26: An Egyptian painted limestone head of an official, New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, Reign of Hatshepsut, circa 14791458 B.C. 3 3/8 in. (8.5 cm.) high Estimate: 20,000-30,000

Lot 48: An Egyptian blue Faience Khonsu as a Baboon, New Kingdom, Dynasty XIX, circa 1291-1191 B.C. 3.3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) high Estimate: 70,000-100,000

Lot 89: An Egyptian wood and bronze sacred Ibis Late Period, Dynasty XXVI, circa 6th century B.C. 20 in. (51 cm.) long Estimate: 80,000-120,000

### High resolution images and further information available upon request Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christies iPhone app Click here to view Christies Antiquities page online
Notes to Editors: Public Exhibition: Saturday 21 April: 11.00am 5.00pm Sunday 22 April: 11.00am 5.00pm Monday 23 April: 9.00am 7.30pm Tuesday 24 April: 9.00am 5.00pm Wednesday 25 April: 9.00am 5.00pm

Auction: The Groppi Collection 26 April 2012 at 10.30am Ecatalogue: The full catalogue will be available to view online from April 2012 at www.christies.com/calendar Christies South Kensington Open seven days a week, Christies South Kensington is one of the busiest salerooms in the UK attracting over 200,000 visitors each year. With over 100 sales and offering more than 20,000 lots annually, estimates start from 300. Interiors sales dedicated to home furnishings are held three times a month alongside regular Sunday sales of single-owner collections. Specialised sales for the avid collector are scheduled throughout the year according to category, and include Film Posters, Pop Memorabilia, Antiquities, Jewellery, 20th Century British Art and Chinese Works of Art, among others. In 2011 Christies South Kensington realised the highest ever total for the second successive year with sales of 115.9 million / $186.6 million. About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 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 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous 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 the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai 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. CHRISTIES SOUTH KENSINGTON 85 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD OPENING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK Monday: 9.00am 7.30pm Tuesday Friday: 9.00am 5.00pm Saturday & Sunday: 11.00am - 5.00pm WWW.CHRISTIES.COM Prices do not include buyers premium