Sotheby's sells items from the country house of Gianni Versace
ARTinvestment.RU   22 февраля 2009

Sotheby's put up for auction a collection of objects from a country house of Gianni Versace on Lake Como and vossozdast appearance couturier rooms at New Bond Street in London

March 18, Sotheby's (London) will present at the auction a unique collection of furniture and works of art from a country house Fontanella, Moltrasio on Lake Como, owned by Gianni Versace. Style and creativity of Gianni Versace, one of the most famous designers in the world, captured in striking neoclassical interior of the villa. He sought to create their own Arkady Villa Fontanella, and as a result created a beautiful interior in neoclassical and imperial style with a thorough study of every detail, starting with the furniture to the beautiful mosaic floors and wall upholstery. Versace has been able to collect an impressive collection of European furniture, sculpture and silver, as well as painting XVIII - XIX centuries, which will be offered for bidding. It is anticipated that 550 lots of the auction will bring more than 2 million pounds. Before the Sotheby's sale vossozdast rooms face some houses down to the smallest detail in the interiors of the exhibition room at the New Bond Street. Thus, 12, 13, and March 15-17, potential buyers will have a unique opportunity to look at the whole interior of the villa, which co-existed all works exhibited on the auctions.

Mario Travella, Vice President of the European Branch of Sotheby's, said: «It is a real pleasure - to organize such a large auction of objects belonging to volnodumtsu in style, whose taste and influence in the fashion world are embodied in the collection of villas Fontanella. We offered the last opportunity to enter the world of Versace and buy something from the collection, giving a presentation about his heritage ».

Yellow XIX century villa, located in 48 kilometers from Milan, on the shores of Lake Como, 20 years, has remained a favorite house of Versace, where he rested on the weekends and organize wonderful parties, the guests were Princess Diana, Madonna, Sting and Elton John. Among the top-lot auction of plaster casts of a pair of bronze «Bortsov», the work of Antonio Canova, standing in a bedroom of Gianni Versace, as well as a rare pair of Italian bookcase cherry work of Karl Roos on draft Giuseppe Valade, which was established in 1814.

Many of the auction lots were sealed at the famous photographs by Helmut Newton in the villa: the characteristic details of the interior have created a wonderful backdrop for photographs of Newton, published in his book «Do not disturb». Collection of items is unique in itself, but only assess each of them separately, you can fully understand the subtle taste of Versace in the selection of art and design.

Italian designer Gianni Versace had several homes, including residences in Milan and New York, but at the Villa Fontanella, he rested from work. Versace spoke of his villa: «House in Moltrasio - this house Proust, while at home in Milan, and Miami is more like Batman ... This house really belongs to me, it reflects the image of all that I have an idea - and in grief and in joy ». The house dates from the first half of the XIX century, it built on the shore of Lake Como eccentric Englishman, Lord Charles Kerry, often in these places. Versace bought the villa in 1977, going to restore its old neo-classical grandeur. In December 1980, restoration work, including the landscape design of three acres of beautiful gardens, was completed. Furnished house, Versace selected every item in accordance with the company's range of blue and gold.

A pair of plaster casts with «Bortsov» work Canova (estimeyt 20-40 thousand pounds) became part of the topic of worship the beauty of the male body, which was developed in the entire interior of the villa. Antonio Canova was considered a master of neo-classical. Statues Kregasa and Damoksena created them in full size - a manifesto of his aesthetic ideals. Contemporaries believed Canova «Prime Minister of beauty», and «Fighters» considered his strongest work.

Among the paintings offered for auction, it is worth noting Tonda «Hercules at the Crossroads» (oil on canvas, tempera; estimeyt 25-40 thousand pounds), written in Italy in 1820, supposedly painted by Peladzhio Paladzhi.

At the auction will be exhibited collection of paintings on glass, miniatures and an extensive selection of works of art with depictions of Roman emperors.

Rare book a couple of Italian cherry cabinets with patinirovannoy bronze inlaid work of Charles Roos (estimeyt 60-100 and 80-120 thousand pounds thousand pounds) was standing in the bedroom Versace. Cabinets were made by order of Princess Polina Borghese for the Library of Palazzo Borghese in Rome. Each of the cabinets crowned with a triangular pediment, at the edges of which are 4 marble busts of Roman nobility, and the center is decorated urn in timpane placed Borghese coat of arms with the Crown Eagle, frieze adorned with garland of flowers and ribbons.

Source: press release Sotheby's