Christie’s pays tribute to a dynasty of collectors: The Sterns

On December 11, 2025 in Paris and online from November 28 to December 12, Christie’s presents the sale Les Stern: une famille de collectionneurs. This dynasty of enlightened bankers, linked to the Rothschilds and active since the XVIIIᵉ century, embodies more than a century of passion for art. Three successive generations have shaped a collection that is eclectic, coherent and deeply marked by sound taste.

An eclectic, refined collection

Comprising 360 lots, the sale illustrates the extraordinary diversity of the Sterns. Old masters – from François Boucher to Hubert Robert, via Prud’hon and van Oosterwyck – are joined by major sculptures, from Clodion to Dalou, and a remarkable selection of bronzes from the circles of Giambologna or François Girardon. Lovers of the decorative arts will also find precious pieces, from 18thᵉ century furniture to Gallé glassware, while Art Nouveau and Art Deco are represented by creations by Soyer, Grandhomme or Décorchemont. XIXᵉ century painting, with Ernest-Ange Duez, James Tissot and George Alfred Bottini, completes the panorama.

Prestigious origins

The Stern collection is also distinguished by its noble origins. Some pieces belonged to Jacques Doucet, Jules Strauss, Sir Richard Wallace and the Dukes of Hamilton. The goldsmith’s and silversmith’s pieces bear witness to the generosity of the David-Weill family. The provenance of these items adds to their heritage value, making this sale a landmark in the history of major European collections.

Spoliations and restitutions

During the Second World War, the Sterns, like many Jewish families, suffered despoilment at the hands of the occupying forces. The Nazis confiscated many of their works, exhibiting some at the Jeu de Paume before transferring them to Germany. Thanks to the hard work of Rose Valland and the Monuments Men, the family recovered some of these treasures. The forthcoming sales therefore also bear the memory of a history marked by loss and rebirth.

A lasting footprint

Edgard Stern collected Old Masters and exhibited his treasures in his hotel on Avenue Montaigne, as well as at the Château de Villette, a mecca for the splendors of the Belle Époque. His daughter-in-law Alice Stern turned to Art Nouveau and Art Deco, enriching the collection with enamels, glassware and modern sculptures. Together, their choices testify to an insatiable curiosity and an assertive taste, passed on to subsequent generations.

The two paintings presented at the Old Masters sale in London, signed Jakob Isaaksz. van Ruisdael and Jan Josefsz. van Goyen, embody the genius of Dutch painting of the XVIIᵉ century and crown this dispersion. Christie’s thus offers much more than a sale: a tribute to a family whose elegance and commitment have left their mark on the history of taste.

Practical info

Christie’s 9 Avenue Matignon Paris 8

📍 Live sale: December 11, 2025, Paris
💻 Online sale: November 28 – December 12, 2025
🌐 christies.com