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Flea Market Find Sells for €251,000 Record
8 Nov
Summary
- A €20 flea market lamp sold for a record €251,000.
- The lamp was identified as a rare piece by Georges Jouve.
- The sale set a world auction record for a lamp by the artist.
A bargain find at a French flea market has yielded an extraordinary result, with a black ceramic lamp selling for a record €251,000. The lamp was initially purchased for only €20 by a woman last year.
It remained in a cupboard until her daughter rediscovered it and identified an incised signature from the acclaimed post-war French ceramic artist Georges Jouve. Following research, the family contacted NEO Enchères, an auction house in Paris familiar with Jouve's work.
Upon examination, the auction house confirmed the lamp's authenticity and exceptional condition. This specific model by Jouve is rarely encountered, making it highly desirable among collectors.
During the auction on October 29, intense competition among approximately 10 bidders drove the price significantly higher than expected. Two European buyers engaged in a prolonged bidding war, resulting in a final price that far exceeded the specialists' valuation of €80,000 to €120,000.
The spectacular sale highlights the growing appreciation for rare pieces by French post-war artists and has spurred renewed interest in Georges Jouve's legacy. The auction house is now actively seeking more works by the artist.
