London’s Savoy Hotel to Auction Furnishings Ahead of Refurbishment

London’s Savoy Hotel is set to auction a selection of furniture and fittings from its suites, guest bedrooms, and public areas next month. This sale by the luxury hotel precedes a scheduled program of refurbishments. Custom-made mirrors, sofas, silk drapery, tables, and lighting fixtures are among the items that will be auctioned at the hotel, located on the Strand, on December 11 and 12. Pro Auction, the company organizing the two-day event, characterized it as an opportunity to “acquire a little bit of the Savoy’s magic.” The Savoy possesses a rich history of hosting royalty, celebrities, and cultural icons. Highlights of the upcoming sale include items from the Personality Suites, which are named after some of the most distinguished guests who have stayed at the hotel, as well as furnishings from the Savoy’s 267 rooms and suites. Art from the hotel’s walls will also be offered for sale, including a portrait of Charlie Chaplin created during his stay there. Chaplin arrived at the Savoy with his family in 1952 and remained for three months, during which time the hotel was almost constantly surrounded by crowds of excited admirers. Other items available include a Chippendale-style Donghia camelback sofa, an Italian neoclassical mahogany and inlaid demilune commode, and a rococo cartouche giltwood wall mirror. A substantial quantity of table and floor lamps, along with silk drapes and curtains, will also be featured in the auction. In 2010, the hotel completed a three-year renovation project at a cost of £220m. The Savoy stated that the latest refurbishment of rooms and suites is “part of a continued commitment to invest in the property and to ensure the best experience for guests.” Pro Auction indicated that the two-day sale presents an opportunity for luxury hoteliers, interior designers, and collectors to obtain a tangible piece of the hotel’s legacy. A spokesperson for Pro Auction commented, “The Savoy is synonymous with luxury, with history, with prestige, with lifestyle.” They further added, “Each item embodies the prestige, history and impeccable craftsmanship synonymous with the Savoy name.” A private viewing of the items is scheduled for December 9 and 10. The auction will also be accessible online, facilitating international participation.