An AUCTION of art and furniture pieces belonging to a late member of the Hermes family has raised at least 23 million euros (S$33.5 million) in Paris.

The collection put on sale belonged to Hubert Guerrand-Hermes, whose mother was the great-granddaughter of the founder of Hermes, which started off making harnesses and saddles for horse-riding.

A painting by the late contemporary artist Pierre Soulages, known for his use of black, sold for 3.1 million euros while a royal chair which was probably made for the boudoir of Queen Marie-Antoinette in Versailles fetched 2.6 million euros, a record auction price for an 18th century chair, Sotheby’s said in a statement.

Patinated bronzes in the shape of monkeys by Francois-Xavier Lalanne as well as a Lucio Fontana painting were also on offer.

The preliminary results are almost triple the highest estimates the auction house had for the lots, Sotheby’s added in a statement.

The auction of Guerrand-Hermes’ collection continues until Dec 19 with two sessions also taking place online.

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The scion, who died in 2016 at the age of 75, amassed a collection at his Parisian residence at the Hôtel de Lannion, located in front of the Musée d’Orsay on the capital’s left bank. BLOOMBERG