Tribal Art, Modern Art and 20th Century Furniture

Collection of Madame de Saint Hilaire As a youth, Michelle Saint Hilaire developed a fascination for African art that made her a privileged witness of the ever-growing interest in African art throughout Europe and especially in France during the second half of the twentieth century. At that time Paris - with its famous dealers specialized in African art, and the advent later on of museums like the Fondation Dapper or the Quai Branly - was the perfect place to be to satisfy any hunger or curiosity for non-European culture. Needless to say, Michelle Saint Hilaire was an avid visitor of all the places and events that were made available to her that way.

Long before daring to cross the threshold of the big Parisian galleries specializing in African art, she was a familiar face in the Quartier Latin, admiring the works the dealers had on display in their windows. Unrelentingly reading, studying, and visiting exhibitions, she took her sweet time to learn about African culture in all its richness and diversity before starting to collect herself. From the mid-1970s on, she would regularly buy pieces from the likes of Pierre Vérité, Jean Roudillon, or Guy Montbarbon a.o.

After a lifelong love for African art, Michelle Saint Hilaire, at the age of 92, has decided to part with some of her preciously collected pieces, hoping to pass on her passion to younger generations. We are honored to have been entrusted with sharing her passion with you.