Paris, France — A crystal chandelier, a champagne bucket and the sofa from the Hemingway Bar all played a leading role in an auction, christened the Universe of the Ritz, held by the house of Artcurlal in Paris last week in their flagship headquarters on the edge of the Champs-Elysées. Results topped one million dollars for the objects, furniture and tableware that once served a luxurious purpose for a leading clientele in the legendary Parisian hotel.

Total sales amounted to US$1,021,041 for the 1,500 lots, all of which were sold, and the auction brought in nearly three times the total estimate last September 25th, 26th and 27th. The magnum-sized champagne bucket in silver metal and stamped with Hotel Ritz Paris on the front was estimated at between US$445-670 but the hammer came down much further afield at US$3,821. The sparkling Louis XV chandelier went for US$9,112, well above the US$890-1670. But the star of the day was the couch from the Hemingway Bar which sold for US$12,493 well above the upper estimate of $US2,200. And it all underscored the continued fascination with one of the world’s most celebrated hotels: the Ritz. Special to The Gurmet Gazette

Artcurial: 7 Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées, 65008 Paris, France. Tel: + 33 (0)1 42 99 20 20. https://www.artcurial.com/en
Special to The Gourmet Gazette