STAMPS-AUTOGRAPHERS-OBJECTS OF ART&FURNITURE

STAMPS :

Expert : BEHR PHILATELIE

18 Rue Drouot

75009 Paris

behr@behr.fr

Furniture of an emblematic residence of the historical heart of Colmar (former house of the provost of the collegiate church)

A protected building located in the protected sector of the city of Colmar, it is composed of two distinct buildings, a long building of six bays built during the 19th century and a house with a gable rebuilt in 1773: the members of the chapter of the collegiate church of Colmar lived in houses that were specially designed for them and this house of the provost therefore housed the last provost, François-Antoine Chauffour, canon of the chapter. It also housed the constitutional bishop Arbogast Martin who died there in 1794. In 1823 the body of General Rapp was exposed to the public in one of its rooms, known at the time as the sales room.

The main entrance of the house was then located in the rue des Marchands and its porte cochère crowned with battlements has kept its ancient aspect.

Well known to the people of Colmar, this building has inspired various artists, notably Hansi who immortalized its façade on the Place de la Cathédrale and its rear façade on Rue des Marchands.

A drawing by Hansi, with the agreement of his brother, was also used for the creation of the sign of the famous Café Kléber which was installed in 1954. The gallows is decorated with the six-pointed star, emblem of the brewers, and the arms of Colmar. General Kleber, sword in hand, rides a prancing horse. Egypt, where Kleber was assassinated in 1800, is represented by palm trees, the sphinx and the pyramids.

This house and its furniture have an undeniable historical value in Alsace.