Alexandre Joseph Paillet

Alexandre Joseph Paillet (1743–1814) was a prominent Parisian auctioneer and art dealer in the late 18th century, holding 145 sales between the years 1774 and 1793.

[4] In 1768, Alexandre-Joseph Paillet made his first steps in the art trade when he bought paintings at auctions, which he later resold.

In addition, his career was certainly helped by the fact that he increasingly acted as an agent for Charles Claude Flahaut de La Billarderie, Comte d'Angiviller, in the acquisition of paintings for the king's private collection as well as for the museum in the Louvre.

On 10 April 1775, they moved into the Hôtel Schomberg d'Aligre on the Rue Saint-Honoré, where they, together with the art dealer Charles-André Mercier (1741–1823) and his wife, rented residential and business premises.

The sale also included a version of the famous painting La Gimblette by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (lot 77).

[8][10][11][9] However, although he was professionally successful, Alexandre Joseph Paillet always had to struggle with financial difficulties, especially since he had bought parts of the Hôtel Bullion.

To be mentioned are: The core of the collection of Dutch masters in the Louvre essentially goes back to the collecting activities of Charles Claude Flahaut de La Billarderie, Comte d'Angiviller, on behalf of The Crown, as well as the professional advice of Alexandre Joseph Paillet.

An auction conducted by Alexandre Joseph Paillet at the Hôtel Bullion , around 1785, by Pierre-Antoine Demachy .
Le Baron de Besenval dans son salon de compagnie at the Hôtel de Besenval , by Henri-Pierre Danloux (1791). The green Chinese celadon vases mounted with French gilt-bronze , which are visible on the mantelpiece, were sold together with their identical pendants on 10 August 1795 by Alexandre Joseph Paillet at the sale of the collection of the Baron de Besenval as lot 148. After nearly 230 years, these pieces reappeared on the auction market. On 8 July 2021, the six pieces (three pairs) of the so-called Baron de Besenval Garniture were sold in three lots (lots 4, 5 and 6) by Christie's in London in The Exceptional Sale for a total of GBP1,620,000. [ 5 ]