Sotheby’s sale total for Property from Gianni Versace more than doubles Pre-Sale high estimate

Sotheby’s sale total for Property from Gianni Versace more than doubles Pre-Sale high estimate

Sotheby’s sale of paintings, furniture and works of art from Gianni Versace’s LakeComo residence, Villa Fontanelle, realised the exceptional total of £7,411,919 ($10,390,769), more thandoubling the pre-sale high estimate (£1.7-2.8 million)

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March 20, 2009 – Discussing the results of the auction, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, responsible for Single-OwnerCollections, Mario Tavella, comments: “With heated bidding in today’s auction extending beyond 12 hours, the daysale turned into an evening sale too. From the recreation of the villa’s rooms in Sotheby’s galleries to the hugelyenthusiastic bidding in the saleroom, this event epitomised the glamour and vision of Gianni Versace and was a fittingway to mark the sale of his most beloved – and until now very private – Lake Como collection. We are absolutelythrilled with the extraordinary results of today’s sale and the high level of lots that achieved prices well above their presaleestimates – in some cases ten fold.”

The sale’s top-selling lots were an exceptional pair of Italian cherry wood and patinated bronze-mounted breakfrontbookcases by Karl Roos which sold for £481,250 ($674,664) and £601,250 ($842,892) respectively (lots 169and 170, pre-sale est. £60,000-100,000 and £80,000-100,000). These important bookcases, formerlyhoused in Versace’s bedroom, were originally commissioned by Princess Pauline Borghese, sister of NapoleonBonaparte, for the Library at Palazzo Borghese in Rome in 1814.