Auction alert: Claridge’s, The Connaught & The Berkeley

Pair of Le Corbusier LC2 style leather armchairs

Five-star hotels offer superlative service and fine dining in luxury surroundings. Every so often, these establishments have major refits and redecorations to keep their appearance fresh and appealing. Rather than simply disposing of their old fixtures & fittings into bins and skips, often the outgoing items are sold off. This week we’re highlighting such an auction. NCM presents an exclusive sale on appointment of Maybourne Hotel Group – Claridge’s, The Connaught & The Berkeley Part 1. The event takes place on Thursday 27th July 2023, from 11am.

Over 100 Years of Stored Surplus Assets Will Be Sold By Public Auction – Including Antique, Designer & Vintage Furniture, Lighting, Artwork and More!

The lot that caught my eye straight away was the set of Claridge’s crested crockery. I can just imagine enjoying a special birthday champagne breakfast (see lot #176) or perhaps an afternoon tea with pot of Darjeeling, scones and dainty sandwiches – off the fancy, gold-trimmed china… in the comfort of my own home.  There are 16 separate lots of this crockery on offer – so lots of opportunities to win a set.

There will be 640 lots in this sale, mostly with no reserve and no estimates. Part 2 and part 3 sales are also planned, to end on 3rd & 10th August. There’s a buyer’s premium of 25% (ex. VAT). Bidding on this auction is also possible via iBidder and The Saleroom websites (with extra fees).

Set of Claridge's crested crockery

Lot 12: Set of Claridge’s crested crockery

To include: 
• 4 x 31.5cm plates
• 4 x 25cm plates
• 4 x 18cm plates
• 4 x tea saucers
• 4 x coffee saucers
• 4 x espresso saucers
• 4 x soup dishes
• 4 x tea cups
• 4 x espresso cups
• 1 x large milk jug
• 1 x tea pot
• 1 x butter dish
• 1 x olive saucer
• 1 x bone dish
• 1 x double handed sauce pot

Vintage trunk

Lot 87: Vintage trunk

Leather style antique chest of drawers. Signs of general use. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 65cm
Width – 60cm
Depth – 50 cm

Davies & Brook salt dish x 6

Lot 94: Davies & Brook salt dish x 6

New – boxed. Approximate dimensions:
Depth – 6cm

Bespoke Luisa Piexoto side table made for Claridge's

Lot 123: Bespoke Luisa Piexoto side table made for Claridge’s

Some signs of general use. Tag shown. Scratch on the surface as shown. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 51cm
Width – 70cm
Depth – 60cm

Pair of T shaped dining chairs from the Connaught

Lot 134: Pair of T shaped dining chairs from the Connaught

Oak frame. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 85cm
Width – 50cm
Depth – 55cm

Set of 6 French 1960s glass table lamps

Lot 176: Set of 6 French 1960s glass table lamps

Untested. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 46cm
Width – 12cm

Set of 4 Laurent Perrier champagne buckets

Lot 263: Set of 4 Laurent Perrier champagne buckets

Various condition as shown. Please be aware that you are not bidding on the exact buckets shown but ones of the same specification and similar condition. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 22cm
Width – 19cm

Set of 4 Kick Sol garden chairs

Lot 265: Set of 4 Kick Sol garden chairs

Signs of general use. Metal frame, some missing feet and screws on the underside of seat/frame. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 86cm
Width – 46cm
Depth – 49cm

Vintage shelf with three shelves in wired glass

Lot 299: Vintage shelf with three shelves in wired glass

Signs of general use. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 69cm
Width – 59cm
Depth – 45cm

Pair of Le Corbusier LC2 style leather armchairs

Lot 825: Pair of Le Corbusier LC2 style leather armchairs

With tubular chrome shaped frame. In fair condition. The pair would benefit from a clean. Leather, metal frame supports. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 68cm
Width – 78cm
Depth – 66cm

Auction alert: The Dorchester Park Lane London Auction

Headboard, handcrafted with nail trim and padded textured woven upholstery

Have you ever been lucky enough to stay in a prestigious, 5-star luxury hotel? Even if you haven’t (and I certainly haven’t) have you ever oggled images of their rooms and suites and wished that you could furnish your home using some of their fixtures & fittings? Well, next month, your dream could come true!

That’s when the 2-day Dorchester Park Lane London Auction takes place at Pro Auction‘s premises in Bath. 1,674 lots will be coming under the hammer on Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd June 2022, starting at 10:30am each day.

The Dorchester is currently in the midst of a major refurbishment and they’re disposing of a lot of the hotel‘s decorative contents.

According to a press release they circulated:

As part of an ongoing investment programme to enhance one of the world’s most legendary hotels, The Dorchester will commence a comprehensive renovation as of February, 2022.
The renovation will be the biggest since 1989 and will start with the entrance to the hotel, The
Promenade and The Bar at The Dorchester, as well as two guest floors, with this work to be complete by September 2022. Two of the most renowned names in design have been appointed to transform the hotel: Pierre-Yves Rochon is reimaging the hotel entrance, The Promenade and the new guest rooms and suites, while Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has been appointed to re-create the bar.

There are lots of soft furnishings; heavy curtains, cushions, rugs, mattresses etc. Furniture items include dining tables, chairs, chaises longue, console tables, coffee tables, full-length mirrors and luggage racks. There are a couple of items that jumped out at me though; dozens of Bang & Olufsen wall-mounted televisions, cocktail cabinets and beautiful sideboards with integral mini-bars – who wouldn’t love to have one of those in their bedroom at home?!

If you’ve had the pleasure of staying at the Dorchester, it’s possible to become the new owner of something from the actual room in which you stayed – the room numbers are included in each lot’s description.

I couldn’t find the sale catalogue on the Pro Auction website – however, it’s available on EasyLiveAuction. There are no estimates and there are no condition reports. I think it could be a great opportunity to get your hands on some high quality goods at knock-down prices.

Don’t forget the hidden costs that are added to the hammer price:

VAT is applied to all lots including the hammer price, lifting charges and buyers premium, by way of example a hammer bid of £100 would attract £20.00 commission(20%) and VAT on the sum of £120 at the prevailing rate of 20% being a sum of £24.00, therefore the total amount payable if you bid £100 is £144.00

The auctioneers state that they are happy to organise delivery – but their wording seems a bit ambiguous. It’s probably best to contact them before bidding.

Pro Auction may at its absolute discretion offer packing and shipping services. Packing and shipping requests should be made to Pro Auction including any special requirements such as delivery address, insurance required or other requests.
Pro Auction retains the right to decline to offer packing and shipping service for any reason at any time and removal of the goods from the Auction remains the responsibility of the buyer.

A pair of marble top chinoiserie black lacquer nightstands
Lot 502: A pair of marble top chinoiserie black lacquer nightstands
With single drawer with hand painted detailing 50 x 50 x 58cm (room 301)

A pair of Laudarte crystal table lamps

Lot 503: A pair of Laudarte crystal table lamps
Inserts and decorations in 24ct gold with shade 95cm tall (room 301)

Bang & Olufsen Beovision 10-40 hotel LCD TV

Lot 514a: Bang & Olufsen Beovision 10-40″ hotel LCD TV
Diagonal picture size: 40 inches (101.6cm) aspect ratio: 16:9 (widescreen) contrast ratio: 4000:1 pixel count: 2,100,000 resolution: 1920 x 1080 (full HD)

Regency style giltwood pier mirror

Lot 519: Regency style giltwood pier mirror
Flanked by spirally-turned half pilasters the frieze with highly decoration 90 x 125cm (room 301)

A pair of wall appliques twin arm in a elegant wheatsheaf

Lot 537: A pair of wall appliques
Twin arm in a elegant wheatsheaf motif and a small decorative mirror supported by scrolling arms 29 x 65cm (room 301)

Contemporary two seater upholstered sofa complete with scatter cushions

Lot 578: Contemporary two seater upholstered sofa
Complete with scatter cushions 150 x 80 x 95cm (room 305)

Upholstered chaise longue

Lot 607: Upholstered chaise longue
With nail pin detail 140 x 70 x 80cm (room 306 & 307)

English Georgian style green lacquered chinoiserie gilded cocktail cabinet

Lot 636: English Georgian style green lacquered chinoiserie gilded cocktail cabinet martini bar
Bifold two door internally mirrored interior fitted with glass shelves mounted on tapering legs with a carved stretcher base 110 x 55 x 180cm (room 306 & 307)

2 x drum style pendant steel frame with pleated shade

Lot 715: 2 x drum style pendant
Steel frame with pleated shade 53cm diameter (room 310 & 311)

Headboard, handcrafted with nail trim and padded textured woven upholstery

Lot 814: Headboard
Handcrafted with nail trim and padded textured woven upholstery with oriental style floating pelmet and fully lined curtains with four oriental lantern style tassels headboard is cream with piping trim (room 317 & 318)

Custom upholstered trapezoid bay window seat cushion pad and scatter cushions set

Lot 822: Custom upholstered trapezoid bay window seat cushion pad and scatter cushions set
140 x 60cm (room 317 & 318)

2 x finish and base material hand-painted on metal waste bins

Lot 870: 2 x finish and base material hand-painted on metal waste bins
With lion mask handles 22 x 26 x 26 cm (room 317 & 318)

2 x LED antique brass 2 light indoor wall light

Lot 965: 2 x LED antique brass 2 light indoor wall light
Antique brass 30cm (room 323 324)

Coloured verre eglomise sideboard

Lot 1030: Coloured verre eglomise sideboard
Two door internally fitted with refrigerator mini bar 125 x 58 x 97cm (room 414)

2 x classic style upholstered silver velvet sofas

Lot 2029: 2 x classic style upholstered silver velvet sofas
Three seater sofas with loose padded cushions and skirt with scattered cushions 183 x 94 x 84cm (room 411)

A two tier console table with bevelled and mottled mirror tops

Lot 2172: A two tier console table
With bevelled and mottled mirror tops mounted on a bronze brass frame 70 x 35 x 76cm (room 421)

A rectangular coffee table polished brass frame with clear glass top

Lot 2213: A rectangular coffee table
Polished brass frame with clear glass top 110 x 60 x 58cm (room 424)