Princess Jeanne-Marie de Broglie, a pivotal figure in the French art world and an early architect of Christie’s Paris office, was recently commemorated through the auction of her extensive personal collection. The sale, which followed her death last year at the age of 96, attracted considerable attention, with total proceeds exceeding €4 million—more than double pre-auction estimates.
De Broglie’s influence stretched beyond her role at Christie’s, where she helped establish the British auction house as a major presence in the French art market after opening its Paris branch in 1968. Prior to this, she had worked alongside Daniel Cordier, a prominent art dealer and former secretary to the French Resistance leader Jean Moulin. Together, they championed postwar avant-garde art, bridging the divide between the London auction headquarters and a cautious French market resistant to foreign competition. De Broglie cultivated lasting relationships with artists, collectors, and social elites that were integral to Parisian cultural life.
The princess was closely connected with leading 20th-century artists including Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, and Jean Dubuffet. Her personal collection reflected this eclectic artistic network, encompassing paintings, sculptures, jewellery, and furniture. Among the standout items was a bespoke table, dubbed the “Berceau,” designed by Swiss sculptor Diego Giacometti and inspired by Séraphine, her beloved dog. This piece sold for €832,000. Another notable lot, Dubuffet’s painting "Jardin de blèche grignote," fetched €512,000. De Broglie’s introduction to Dubuffet came through Cordier, highlighting the enduring professional and personal ties within her circle.
Following the high-profile auction, a secondary sale offered a selection of the princess’s personal effects at more accessible prices. Among these, a mahogany dining table where she hosted many gatherings sold for €150. A silverware service by Storr & Mortimer in collaboration with Christofle reached €14,000, while two silver trays belonging to the Radziwill family—marked by their princely crown and linked to one of Europe’s oldest noble lineages—sold for €3,700. A blue Worcester faience platter attracted a bid of €280.
Jeanne-Marie de Broglie’s aristocratic lineage was notable; her mother, Anne-Marie Radziwill, was a member of the historic Radziwill family, whose roots date back to 15th-century Lithuania. Jeanne-Marie acquired the title of princess through her marriage to Prince Guy de Broglie, whose family had been ennobled by the Holy Roman Emperor in the 18th century. Her Paris residence served as a gathering place for a remarkable mix of cultural figures, including aristocrats and icons such as Yves Saint-Laurent, Man Ray, and Jean Dubuffet, reflecting her unique position at the crossroads of society and art during a transformative era.