Moïse de Camondo
Encyclopedia
Count Moïse de Camondo was an Ottoman Empire
born Italian origin French banker. As a child, Camondo moved with his family, from their home in Constantinople
, Ottoman Empire
, to Paris
where he grew up and continued his father's career as a banker. He was born into a Sephardic Jewish family that owned one of the largest banks in the Ottoman Empire, established in France since 1869.
In 1912 he completely rebuilt the family mansion on the Parc Monceau
in order to house his collection of 18th century French furniture and artwork. Working closely with the architect René Sergent
he created a palatial home suitable to 18th century traditions, even planning the room dimensions to match exactly the objects in his collection. The entryway is inspired by the Petit Trianon
of Versailles
.
Some highlights include a French silver service that had been ordered by Russian royal Catherine II, a set of Buffon
porcelain
(with exact reproductions of ornithological drawings) from the Sèvres
manufacturer, and perhaps the only existing complete set of Gobelin royal tapestry sketches.
He raised his two children in this home which he donated to Paris's Decorative Arts society as a museum (opened in 1936 one year after his death) in honor of the loss of his son in World War I. Following his only son's death, Camondo largely withdrew from society and devoted himself primarily to his collection and to hosting dinners for a club of gourmet
s at regular intervals. The museum opened the year after Moïse de Camondo died, in 1935. During World War II, his daughter, Béatrice, his son-of-law Léon Reinach and their children, Fanny and Bertrand, died in the Nazi camps. The Camondo family died out.
In addition to the Count's collection, the meticulously restored service areas, elevator and woodwork of the mansion are noteworthy.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
born Italian origin French banker. As a child, Camondo moved with his family, from their home in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where he grew up and continued his father's career as a banker. He was born into a Sephardic Jewish family that owned one of the largest banks in the Ottoman Empire, established in France since 1869.
In 1912 he completely rebuilt the family mansion on the Parc Monceau
Parc Monceau
Parc Monceau is a semi-public park situated in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France, at the junction of Boulevard de Courcelles, Rue de Prony and Rue Georges Berger. At the main entrance is a rotunda. The park covers an area of 8.2 hectares ....
in order to house his collection of 18th century French furniture and artwork. Working closely with the architect René Sergent
René Sergent
René Sergent was a noted French architect.-Biography:Sergent was trained at the École spéciale d'architecture, where he concentrated on French architecture of the 18th century but also studied British contemporaries such as Robert Adam, then entered the architectural office of Ernest Sanson where...
he created a palatial home suitable to 18th century traditions, even planning the room dimensions to match exactly the objects in his collection. The entryway is inspired by the Petit Trianon
Petit Trianon
The Petit Trianon is a small château located on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France.-Design and construction:...
of Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
.
Some highlights include a French silver service that had been ordered by Russian royal Catherine II, a set of Buffon
Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon was a French naturalist, mathematician, cosmologist, and encyclopedic author.His works influenced the next two generations of naturalists, including Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Georges Cuvier...
porcelain
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
(with exact reproductions of ornithological drawings) from the Sèvres
Sèvres
Sèvres is a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris.The town is known for its porcelain manufacture, the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, making the famous Sèvres porcelain, as well as being the location of the International Bureau of Weights...
manufacturer, and perhaps the only existing complete set of Gobelin royal tapestry sketches.
He raised his two children in this home which he donated to Paris's Decorative Arts society as a museum (opened in 1936 one year after his death) in honor of the loss of his son in World War I. Following his only son's death, Camondo largely withdrew from society and devoted himself primarily to his collection and to hosting dinners for a club of gourmet
Gourmet
Gourmet is a cultural ideal associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drink, or haute cuisine, which is characterised by elaborate preparations and presentations of large meals of small, often quite rich courses...
s at regular intervals. The museum opened the year after Moïse de Camondo died, in 1935. During World War II, his daughter, Béatrice, his son-of-law Léon Reinach and their children, Fanny and Bertrand, died in the Nazi camps. The Camondo family died out.
In addition to the Count's collection, the meticulously restored service areas, elevator and woodwork of the mansion are noteworthy.