A WHITE PAINTED MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE

Ailsa Mellon Bruce (1901-1969) was the daughter of banker, diplomat and collector Andrew W. Mellon, and sister of Paul Mellon. During her father's role as Ambassador to the Court of St James's in 1932-33, she was the official hostess, a role she would reprise later when her husband, David K. E. Bruce was appointed to the post from 1961-69. Her collection of English furniture and porcelain was bequeathed to the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jackie & Jean-Charles de Ravenel are the famous society couple known for their imaginative taste. The famed interiors of their house in the Faubourg St Germain were recorded in Christie's sale catalogue of their collection which took place at Christie's London, 21-22 November 2007.