I don’t often write about auctions not related to cars or watches. But when I do – there is a very good reason.
The iconic and legendary Ritz Hotel in Paris – which has undergone a multiyear renovation, and is now re-opened since two years – is selling the entire contents of the ‘old hotel’. For a little as €3-500 you can pick up some pretty awesome stuff. How cool would it be to own a piece of one of the greatest hotels ever built?
Now you can.
The Ritz hotel in Paris might just be the most legendary hotel in Europe, if not the world.
Situated in place Vendôme, the most important and famous square in Paris – the Ritz hotel has been home to movie stars, business tycoons, royalty, presidents and just about anybody who could afford the €1’000 needed for the smallest room per night.
Hemmingway called it home (they even named the bar after him), so did the Duke of Windsor, the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers stayed there and so did Lauren Bacall and Marlene Dietrich. Even in Paris, which is home to some of the grandest hotels in the world (think Plaza Athenee, the Crillon and George V), the Ritz stands on the very top of the hill in terms of elegance and grandeur. In many ways, you could argue the Ritz Hotel in Paris is the unofficial ambassador for French luxury.
It is that symbolic and powerful.
While most of the furniture is old fashioned – think Louis XIV and Empire style- there are a few items that would be just uber cool to have. Here are my 4 favourite lots below.
For the full catalogue please see Artcurials auction house website here. The auction takes place on April 17-21st.
(Main picture Credit: Booking.com).
Lot 2905: This is perhaps the coolest of all 3000 lots being offered. The sign to the entrance of the legendary Hemingway bar at the Ritz. €3-400.
Named after the legendary author and adventurist Ernest Hemmingway who was a regular guest and customer (also a notorious drinker), the Hemmingway bar was an institution. I kind of compare it to Studio 54 in its heyday in New York, imagine you get to take home the entrance sign of that legendary nightclub. This will go way past the low estimate it has of only €3-400.
Lot 2904: This is perhaps the best and most cost-effective way to get a piece of the Ritz. €3-500
An umbrella stand with Ritz umbrella and several nice wooden hangers to hang up your tailor-made suits. And gold suitcase stands which are super practical and can fold up for storage.
The best part is that there are exactly around 12 lots exactly like this so plenty of bidders will get a chance to own this.
Lot 1052: You not might not get your hands on Onassis penis whale foreskin bar stoles that he had made for his yacht Christina, but this is pretty cool too.
Five revolving bar stools from the Ritz club which was a private member club at the Ritz hotel. This is the most expensive item I have chosen, but so cool it’s worth it.
If I had a little bar in my house I would place these stools there. Perfect also if I owned a restaurant or bar. €2-4’000.
Lot 2902: Perfect for an office sitting area or just at the entrance of a winter or summer house. And it won’t cost you a fortune either. €1-1’500.
