Client: The Lefèvre Family
Situation: A French family with a significant art collection valued at €120 million, spread across properties in France, Italy and the UK, sought assistance in managing, insuring and potentially monetising their collection while navigating complex cross-border tax implications.
Our Approach:
- Conducted a comprehensive valuation and cataloguing of the entire collection across all jurisdictions.
- Developed a tailored art management strategy, including conservation, insurance, and security measures.
- Created a tax-efficient structure for potential sales or donations, leveraging EU regulations and bilateral agreements.
- Implemented a succession planning strategy to preserve the collection for future generations.
Key Actions:
1. Established a Luxembourg-based art holding company to centralise ownership and management.
2. Structured a series of targeted donations to major European museums, maximising tax benefits across jurisdictions.
3. Developed a rotating exhibition program for pieces held in freeports, enhancing visibility while maintaining tax efficiency.
4. Implemented a cutting-edge digital catalogue and provenance tracking system.
Result: The Lefèvre family optimised the management and value of their art collection, reducing annual carrying costs by 15% while increasing the collection’s overall value by 8% through strategic exhibitions and loans. The new structure also provides a clear, tax-efficient path for intergenerational transfer.
