Maison Tajan, a living place of culture, opens its doors for Marteau Days

On the occasion of the Marteau Days – until May 31 – the Tajan auction house highlights its Parisian roots, its network in the region and its desire to make auctions accessible. Between exhibitions, free expertise and sales open to all budgetsÉdouard Challemel du Rozier, CEO of Tajan, and Louise de Causans, associate auctioneerlook back at the history of this house, its international ambitions and its mission of artistic transmission.

Parisian Posters: Can you introduce us to the Parisian auction house Tajan?

Édouard Challemel du RozierÂ: Tajan is a French and Parisian house that is quite exceptional, particularly due to its history in the art market. It has existed since 1994 and still occupies this historic location. Since its creation, our vocation has been to transmit stories through the objects and works of art that we pass on. We are in the 8^e district, rue des Mathurins. These places also have a History…

Édouard Challemel du RozierÂ: Indeed, this place has a rich history that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century.^e century. It first hosted a bank, before experiencing several lives and different owners. In the 1990s, Jacques Tajan decided to set up his offices there, after leaving the Drouot study to create his own auction house. Today, we continue to write this History, with the ambition of keeping it alive for a long time to come.

Are these spaces both exhibition spaces and places of sale?

Édouard Challemel du RozierA: Absolutely. We consider this house to be a true place of art and culture. Of course, our main activity remains auctions, but we also want to bring these spaces to life through exhibitions, conferences and different events linked to the world of art and culture. After the exhibitions, we rearrange the space so that it transforms into a sales room.

Does Tajan have other representations in France or abroad?

Édouard Challemel du RozierÂ: Yes, we have a network of correspondents in France and Europe. The history of Tajan is deeply linked to the regions: if the flagship is in Paris, we are present throughout the territory thanks to our correspondents.

Louise de CausansÂ: We are located in Nantes, Lille and Geneva, but also in Bordeaux, Lyon, Saint-Tropez and several other regions. This network allows us to support collectors and individuals throughout France and beyond.

Do these offices also accommodate sales?

Édouard Challemel du RozierÂ: No, sales are mainly organized here, in our Parisian room. In the region, our offices are above all places of meeting and expertise for collectors and individuals who wish to have objects appraised or sold.

This year, the traditional Marteau Days are organized until May 31. What will be the highlights of the event for Tajan?

Louise de CausansÂ: We are very happy to once again participate in the Marteau Days, which is celebrating its 20th this year.^e edition. It’s always a pleasure to open our doors and make our world more accessible.

Several events will punctuate this edition. In particular, we will offer an exhibition and sale dedicated to the art of the table, organized by our Decorative Arts & Design department. We will also present modern art paintings, as well as a large workshop collection, which is particularly interesting.

Finally, an exhibition dedicated to fashion and luxury accessories will allow visitors to discover designer jewelry and creations by great couturiers.

A free expertise session will also be offered to the public?

Louise de CausansÂ: Absolutely, and we attach great importance to it. The four auctioneers from Tajan will be present to welcome both experienced collectors and novice visitors who wish to discover the world of auctions or obtain an informed opinion on a work of art or an object.

During these Hammer Days, we organize several days of welcome and expertise around numerous specialties: paintings, silverware, jewelry, wines, prints, modern art, contemporary art… Our house covers a wide variety of fields, from Antiquity to the present day.

We therefore invite the public to come and discuss with our specialists.

Among the highlights, you also present a studio collection dedicated to Hans Seiler, a painter whom you are helping to rediscover…

Louise de CausansA: Indeed. We have great pleasure in presenting this studio collection which allows us to rediscover an artist from the Second School of Paris, who has long remained in the shadows.

The exhibition brings together works created throughout his life, offered for sale at affordable prices, which allows both amateurs and young collectors to discover this Swiss artist and, why not, to start a collection around his work.

One of the aims of the Marteau Days is also to democratize auction sales. Can we find accessible works there?

Louise de CausansA: Absolutely. The Marteau Days allow us to show that auctions are not reserved for a few insiders. In fashion sales, for example, prices can range from 60 euros to several thousand euros, but many designer accessories and jewelry remain very accessible.

The sale dedicated to tableware will also offer a variety of pieces: services, glassware, crockery or objects from major houses like Christofle or Puiforcat, with certain pieces around 100 euros. Finally, regarding Hans Seiler’s studio collection, certain works will be offered from 300 euros. It is therefore entirely possible to start a collection with reasonable budgets.

Can you remind us of the sales dates?

Louise de CausansÂ: The fashion sale will take place on May 28. The sale dedicated to tableware will be held on June 2. Finally, the workshop collection will be the subject of an online sale on the Tajan website, which will close on June 3.

How do you see the future of Tajan?

Édouard Challemel du RozierÂ: We see it with great optimism. Tajan has a long history that we continue today with strong ambition.

Our first objective is to continue to transmit works and objects of art while further strengthening the quality of the pieces presented. For us, quality does not come down solely to financial value: it is above all aesthetic and historical.

Our second objective is to once again strengthen the international influence of the house, first on a European scale and then more widely on an international level.

Beyond the Hammer Days, what is Tajan’s agenda?

Édouard Challemel du Rozier : Our schedule is particularly dense. Tajan organizes nearly 80 sales per year, and this figure continues to increase. All of our sales are available on our Tajan website, with an important highlight to come: the spring and summer sales, which will take place until the beginning of July.

From September, the autumn sales will take over, focusing on numerous areas, from Antiquity to contemporary art, including decorative arts, furniture and works of art.