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Pursuits
Wealth

Rothschilds to Sell Lavish Heirlooms Made for Kings and Queens

  • Family consigns items estimated at $12.9 million for auction
  • Lots include Marie Antoinette’s desk, King Philip’s cabinets
Fragonard painting.

Fragonard painting.

Photographer: Christie’s

Furniture and artifacts that once belonged to European monarchs and were later snagged by the scions of the Rothschild banking family are heading to the auction block. Call it a royal summer yard sale.

Members of the storied clan, whose extravagant style influenced generations of the mega-rich, consigned about 57 lots to Christie’s July 4 auction in London. The trove is estimated at about 10 million pounds ($12.9 million).