THE RENAULT FAMILY COLLECTION

DATE: Sunday 30 May | 11am

LOCATION: Timed Online Auction | 124 James Street, Leichhardt, NSW 2020

Theodore Bruce is proud to present the first part of the Renault Family Collection. Part One of beautiful objects, collected in France, Indochina & Australia over four generations on Sunday 30 May at 11am.

Henri Renault, the son of a family of collectors, arrived in Australia in 1927, as a wool buyer for a French firm. During this time he pursued his passion for collecting, frequenting local auction houses, galleries & antique shops as he travelled around Australia & the region for his work. On bringing his wife Jeanne, to live in Australia with him in 1937, they settled into Sydney, settle in a new country & were instrumental in founding in 1939 The Wine & Food Society of NSW in Sydney. Unfortunately, Henri was conscripted to the French Army to serve in Indochina as an artillery lieutenant, that year & Jeanne & their baby daughter joined Henry in 1940, evacuated to Sydney via China, in 1942 due to the threat of Japanese invasion. The Wine & Food Society welcomed the couple back to Sydney and were backed to set up a French provincial restaurant, The Hermitage in 1942, in the Sydney CBD with a “club room” for the Society to meet for their regular Tuesday Lunches. The couple scoured Sydney auction rooms buying furniture, artwork & equipment to fit out the restaurant. In 1947 Henri returned to France to source top French wine & food lines to import for sale in Australia & on this occasion he brought back part of his parents collection of decorative arts & furniture from the Family home in Lyon, & on his return from France in 1947 Henri & Jeanne opened ‘Renault & Co’ sell imported wine & food products. On his subsequent visit to France in 1951 & following the death of his parents he returned with the remainder of the Collection. The Hermitage closed in 1957 & Henri died 3 months later. For more on The History of the Wine & Food Society follow this link:
https://wfsnsw.org.au/colors/our-story.html

It is with great sadness that the Collection, which has be nurtured & loved by Jeanne, her daughter & family is now being offered at auction due to downsizing.

Auction Date: Sunday 30 May 2021 at 11am

On View by Appointment:
Friday 14 May 12-4pm
Saturday 15 May 12-4 pm

Friday 21 May 12-4pm
Saturday 22 May 12-4pm

Friday 28 May 12-4pm
Saturday 29 May 12-4pm

Buyers Premium: 25% including GST & Invaluable Fee

Enquiries Casi Prischl