Iakobachvili Collection

Where grace meets heritage

Discover one of Europe’s most remarkable private collections.

Explore the Collection
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People sometimes say that private collections are hidden treasures. My answer is that it is precisely to bring them into the light that we created Arts Prestige. In an age of total visibility, what is rare deserves to be shown with care.”

David
Iakobachvili

A legacy to be told

Arts Prestige gives life to the Iakobachvili Collection through cultural experiences where craftsmanship, narrative and innovation converge.

Rooted in a curatorial approach of observing, selecting and revealing, each work is considered as a dialogue between technique and emotion.
By bridging heritage and contemporary vision, Arts Prestige brings history to life with precision, sensitivity and impact.

DISCOVER MASTERPIECES

14K gold and blue enamel imperial snuffbox over guilloché, with Rococo decoration, early 20th century (Saint Petersburg).

High-jewellery wristwatch in gold, set with 71 carats of diamonds (DeLaneau).

Rare rectangular portrait box in gold and royal blue enamel, adorned with a painted miniature, attributed to Salomon Guillaume Counis.

Important “Prunelles” vase in acid-etched multilayered glass, Daum Frères, Nancy, 1909.

Large chased silver presentation bowl with openwork Art Nouveau handles.

Gold and guilloché enamel singing bird box with allegorical decoration (Geneva, c. 1800).

Bust of a Chinese woman in bronze with a double patina and red griotte marble, signed Charles Cordier.

Gilt-brass box with a frieze of putti and a concealed automaton mechanism, 19th century.

Iakobachvili
collection

the
cabinet of wonders

The Iakobachvili Collection is one of Europe’s largest private art collections, comprising over 25,000 works spanning from the 16th century to the present day. Assembled over more than two decades by art patron David Iakobachvili and his son Mikhail, it brings together exceptional examples of decorative and applied arts, jewellery and fine art.

DISCOVER MASTERPIECES

A defining feature of the collection is its unique focus on musical mechanics and sound recording, including self playing instruments, automata and an exceptional Sound Library of more than 20,000 historical recordings. Through its scope and coherence, the collection stands among the world’s leading private art collections.

9995+
unique art works
Objects of intimacy and grace,
where every detail speaks of elegance and time.
Secrets of the snuffbox

Where history breathes softly,
 in the shadow of an empire.

Monaco et les Napoléon(s)
Where time becomes melody, and memory finds its voice.
Each note carries the echo of another era.
Lullabies of time
Where form meets movement, and elegance becomes rhythm.
Figures in motion, shaped by light, balance and modernity.
Magic Stone
A realm of creatures and symbols, where nature is reimagined through art.
A fantastic bestiary
Where light takes form and glass begins to breathe.
A fragile beauty, shaped by fire and time.
Breath of glass
Where gestures become ritual and the table gathers presence.
An art of attention, lived in the quiet precision of each moment.
An intimate ceremony
Through bronze, ivory and stone, sculpture gives life to form and silence to emotion.
The awakening of form

Enter a world
of refined beauty…

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IAKOBACHVILI

Virtual Museum
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The Musée Collection des Arts
offers an immersive digital gateway
into the Iakobachvili Collection.

VISIT THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM
Write the next chapter
of its history
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Arts Prestige is a cultural Maison dedicated to revealing and sharing the exceptional Iakobachvili Collection through events, exhibitions and R(ê)veries, creating unique experiences where heritage is staged, narrated and brought into dialogue with audiences.

Event

A LEGACY experienced in the moment

Exhibitions

A Curated Heritage

R(ê)verie by Arts Prestige

Heritage, intimately experienced

In conversation with the collection

The Collection
Periods & Styles
Artists
Audiences & Process
Inquiries

Does the collection focus on specific artistic movements?

The collection is not limited to a single movement but brings together a wide range of artistic periods and disciplines.
It includes significant examples from decorative arts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and mechanical arts, reflecting a broad and coherent vision of artistic evolution.

What defines the identity of the Iakobachvili Collection?

The Iakobachvili Collection is defined by its exceptional scale, diversity and coherence, bringing together over 25,000 works from the 16th century to the present day.
 Its distinctive identity lies in the meeting of decorative arts, fine art and a unique focus on musical mechanics and sound, forming a collection where craftsmanship, history and innovation converge.

Does the collection focus on specific artistic movements?

The collection is not limited to a single movement but brings together a wide range of artistic periods and disciplines.
 It includes significant examples from decorative arts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and mechanical arts, reflecting a broad and coherent vision of artistic evolution.

Which historical periods are represented in the collection?

The collection is primarily centred on the 19th century, a pivotal period for artistic and technical innovation, particularly in decorative arts and mechanical craftsmanship.
 It is complemented by exceptional works dating from the 16th century through to the 20th century, offering a broader perspective on the evolution of styles, techniques and artistic expression.

Are the pieces attributed, signed or documented?

Yes, the works are carefully attributed, signed when applicable, and documented.
 Each piece is supported by detailed research, ensuring its authenticity, provenance and historical context.

Does the collection include works by internationally renowned artists?

Yes, the collection features works by internationally renowned artists and master craftsmen, alongside exceptional pieces by lesser known makers.
Each work is selected for its artistic quality, rarity and historical significance, reflecting a broad and refined vision of artistic excellence.

What is the process for curatorial collaboration?

Curatorial collaborations begin with an initial inquiry outlining the project, context and curatorial intent.
Each proposal is then reviewed to ensure coherence with the collection, followed by a tailored dialogue to define the scope, selection of works and presentation.

Who is Arts Prestige intended for?

Arts Prestige addresses a diverse and discerning audience: private collectors, art lovers in search of authentic emotion, Monaco’s leading figures, luxury and cultural stakeholders, institutions and international media. 

Who can I contact to discuss event opportunities?

For event inquiries, you may contact the Arts Prestige team directly through the dedicated contact form or by email.
 Each request is reviewed to explore a tailored approach aligned with the nature of the collection and the event.

How can a curatorial project be proposed?

Curatorial projects can be proposed through a formal inquiry outlining the concept, context and intended scope.
 Each proposal is reviewed to ensure alignment with the collection, followed by a dialogue to shape the project and selection of works.

Moments & Meaning

Monaco and the Napoleon(s): When History Becomes an Encounter

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The Art Market 3.0: When Technology Meets Connoisseurship

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Automata & Music Boxes: When Objects Come to Life

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Golden Snuffboxes: The Art of Holding the World in One Hand

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The Secret Language of Snuffboxes

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Catalogue Request

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    Iakobachvili Collection’s Masterpieces

    Secrets of the Snuffbox

    Lullabies of time

    The awakening of form

    Magic stone

    Monaco et les Napoléon(s)

    Breath of Glass

    An intimate ceremony

    A Fantastic Bestiary

    Iakobachvili Collection

    The cabinet
    of wonders

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    Iakobachvili Collection

    Virtual
    Museum

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    This Month's Treasure

    First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte presentation portrait snuff box

    Joseph Etienne Blerzy and Etienne Lucien Blerzy, Paris, 1799–1804
    Gold, diamonds, painted ivory, glass

    Set with forty diamonds, this snuff box was likely presented to a high-ranking foreign dignitary.

    EXPLORE ALL SNUFFBOXES