CNN —A vast collection of art, furniture, silver, ceramics, and jewelry long held in the private collection of the Rothschild banking dynasty is expected to sell for as much as $30 million over several auctions this fall at Christie’s New York. The sales will mark the first dedicated auction in North America of works from the French branch of the long-time banking family. A German silver-gilt mounted nautilus cup and cover estimated to fetch between $100,000 and $150,000 at auction. Coincidentally, the cameo last came to auction at Christie’s in 1899, when it sold for £3,750 (about £395,000 or $496,000, in today’s money), shortly before it is believed to have entered the Rothschild collection. As for why the family is selling the collection now, Rendell believes it may be a “rationalization” and a “generational shift” in attitude.

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Persons: Rothschild, Baron James Mayer de Rothschild, Betty, Alphonse, Gerrit Dou’s, Claudius, ”, Jonathan Rendell, “ It’s, James Mayer de Rothschild, Rendell, ” Rendell, Read Organizations: The Art, CNN, Christie’s, ” Locations: York, North America, Christie’s, Christie’s Americas, New York, Europe