La Galleria: Palazzo Sachetti. Photo: Sotheby's.

NEW YORK, NY.- Hot on the heels of its record-breaking sale of the Grimani tables last December, Sotheby’s London will present a selection of 460 fascinating royal and aristocratic heirlooms in its “Of Royal and Noble Descent” auction on 19 January 2016. This year’s exciting group of Old Master paintings and sculpture, furniture, decorative arts and vertu is spearheaded by works of arts that formerly adorned the Palazzo Sacchetti - the famous Renaissance palace in the heart of Rome whose spectacular interiors feature in Paolo Sorrentino’s multi-award winning film The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza). The sale is further distinguished by property from the collections of important European dynasties and institutions, such as the R.C. Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, formerly at the Bishop’s Palace, personal gifts given to Chancellor Bismarck and a collection of medals and military decorations from Count Robin de La Lanne Mirrlees, a friend of Ian Fleming’s who inspired Sir Hilary Bray, Bt in ‘Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. 

Palazzo Sachetti. Photo: Sotheby's.

Discussing the forthcoming sale, João Magalhães, Sotheby’s Specialist in Continental Furniture, said: “Ever since their inception two years ago, our Of Royal & Noble Descent sales have captured the imagination of collectors. This year’s selection includes fascinating items from distinguished German, English, Dutch, Portuguese and Italian aristocratic families. Having survived through inheritance, many of these treasures have never been seen by the general public and their appearance at auction offers a unique opportunity for discerning collectors to acquire them.” 

Palazzo Sachetti. Photo: Sotheby's.

Works of Art from Palazzo Sacchetti, Rome Sold to benefit the Giulio and Giovanna Sacchetti Foundation 
Taking centre stage this winter are 164 lots from Palazzo Sacchetti, home to the Sacchetti family, one of the oldest and most influential Italian dynasties whose history is closely linked to Rome’s political and artistic life. The interiors of the palace are among the most spectacular of the city and this is reflected in the furniture and works of art to be offered in January. The proceeds of the sale will benefit the Giulio and Giovanna Sacchetti Foundation. 

Palazzo Sachetti. Photo: Sotheby's.

Giovanna Sacchetti: “The Giulio and Giovanna Sacchetti Foundation was established on 19th July 2013 with the purpose of protecting, preserving, promoting and enhancing historical, cultural and artistic heritage with emphasis on to the city of Rome and to promote research and scientific development with particular focus on degenerative diseases of the Autonomic Nervous system. The proceeds of this sale will be donated to these benevolent causes”. 

Highlights include:  

Lot 50. After models by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) and his workshop, Rome, late 17th - early 18th century, Bronze sculptures of Saint Catherine and Saint Agnes. Est. £8,000-12,000 / €11,400-17,000. Photo: Sotheby's.

These beautiful figures from the Palazzo Sacchetti Sacchetti are among a handful of small bronzes that have been associated with the master sculptor of the Roman Baroque, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The two saints, Agnes and Catherine, appear to have been cast after models designed for the figurative scheme of the colonnade framing Saint Peter’s Square, where monumental versions in stone survive today. It is thought that the Colonnade figures were modelled by Bernini’s assistants after the master’s designs, and the statues of both Catherine and Agnes have been attributed to Lazzaro Morelli, one of Bernini’s gifted pupils. 

PROPERTY OF A PRINCELY FAMILY FROM THE KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIES 
The top lot of the January sale is an unprecedented group of pieces from the famous Farnese Service. Produced circa 1784-88 by the Neapolitan ‘Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea”, the service was the first to be produced at the factory featuring landscape decoration of neo-classical type. Very few of his pieces seem to survive in private collections, and with the infrequency of pieces appearing at auction, the Farnese service has acquired an air of mystery. It is extremely rare that such a group of pieces should come to auction together; only a handful of pieces have appeared at auction in recent years (est. £100,000-150,000 / €142,000-213,000). 

Lot 184. A large portion of the Naples, Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea porcelain 'Servizio Farnesiano', circa 1784-88. Est. £100,000 — 150,000 / €142,000-213,000. Photo: Sotheby's.

each piece with a border of a gilded foliage band interlacing a shadowed green band reserving four en grisailleportrait medallions of figures from antiquity encased around a label inscribed 'MVSEO FARNESIANO', the plates and baskets brightly painted in enamels with medallions of rustic ruinous landscapes and harbour scenes, comprising twenty-two plates, approximately 26cm., 10 1/4 in. diam.; a square shaped dish, 23.5cm., 9 1/4 in.; two oval baskets with gilded mask terminals, 24cm., 9 1/2 in. wide; three oval tureens and covers, 21.2cm., 8 3/8 in. wide; four oval stands, 27.3cm., 10 3/4 in. wide and two circular tureens, one with a cover with gilded artichoke finial, 19.6cm., 7 3/4 in. diam., most pieces with crowned RFF monogram in iron-red, all but one plate with view title in iron-red to reverse, various incised numerals and letters including 3, 4, S, T, - Quantity: 38

PROPERTY OF THE PRINCELY HOUSE OF BISMARCK 
The sale will also feature an eclectic group of objects celebrating German Chancellor and father of German unification Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898). This fascinating ensemble comes from the Bismarck Museum which was established in the Bismarck family estate in Schönhausen, currently in Saxony-Anhalt, in 1891 to serve as memorial to the great Prussian statesman. The collection comprised an assortment of personal memorabilia – mostly gifts from all corners of the Germany Empire. Following the end of World War II, Schönhausen fell in the Soviet occupied zone and consequently the Bismarck estate and museum collection was confiscated by the communist regime in 1945, and Schönhausen demolished. After the reunification, a Bismarck museum was re-established on the estate in 1998 and the pieces to be offered are the result of the restitution process “Ausgleichleistungsgesetz” (Compensation Act) having been returned to their rightful owners, the Bismarck family. 

Lot 443. A large scale German gilt-bronze mounted sculptural drinking horn, probably Berlin, late 19th century. Est. £4,000-6,000 / €5,700-8,500. This vessel was a personal gift of the German Emperor Wilhelm I to Bismarck. Photo: Sotheby's.

A monumental German ship’s model of the ‘Reichspostdampfer’ Prinz Regent Luitpold, late 19th century, 125cm. high, 330cm. wide, 70cm. deep. Est. £15,000-25,000 / €21,300-35,500. Photo: Sotheby's. 

executed in fine detail with a central chimney, geared masts, life boats, propellers, portholes, etc., the hull painted in red and white; together with the original German Renaissance style oak display cabinet on stand, with three inscribed metal plaques.

The ‘Reichspostdampfer’ Prinzregent Luitpold, together with her sister ship the Prinz Heinrich, was one of the two steam driven two propeller ships built in 1893 by F. Schichau in Gdansk for the North German Lloyd (NDL). The ship was named after the Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria. The single chimney ships were especially prepared for trips to the tropics and proved themselves worthy of such long journey. 

PROPERTY OF THE COUNTS DE LA LANNE-MIRRLEES 
Another highlight in the sale is a collection of medals and military decorations from the collections of Major General William H. B. “Reay” Mirrlees C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (1892- 1964) and his stepson Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees (1925-2012). Count Mirrlees served in the Royal Artillery in India but is largely remembered as the man who was an inspiration for the creation of James Bond’s nom de plume Sir Hilary Bray, Bt and for many elements of 007’s character, including the Bond family motto: “The World is Not Enough” (est. £2,500-4,000 / €3,550-5,700).

A glazed display frame containing a presentation sword, medals and decorations, together with a further group of medals and additional documents. Est. £2,500-4,000 / €3,550-5,700). Photo: Sotheby's. 

the mameluke-hilted officer's sword, with an original pair of Royal Artillery epaulettes, a group of 14 miniature Orders and medals (Order of the Bath (C.B.), D.S.O. and Bar, M.C., 1914 Star and Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8thArmy clasp, Burma Star, Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal with M.i.D. emblem, Jubilee 1935, Coronation 1937 and France, Légion d’Honneur) and also the following full-sized Decorations which are believed to be non-original to the recipient but assembled to represent his awards: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion’s neck badge; Distinguished Service Order, George VI (an original badge but with unofficial suspension dated 1946 and with a tailor’s copy of a Bar), copy Military Cross, George VI, undated, and a good original Légion d’Honneur neck badge in gold and enamels believed to date from before the Great War, all mounted for display; together withR.A. pennant and related original documents comprising Warrants for the M.C., 8 July 1941, C.B., 13 June 1945 and two Mentions in Despatches, 1 April 1941 and 30 December 1941 and also copied research including copy photographs and London Gazette entries and recommendations for both D.S.O.s and, a 1939-45 Star and Burma Star (both unnamed as issued), Defence and War Medals (both unofficially impressed) and 1953 Coronation (engraved Capt., Rouge Dragon Poursuivant), with a duplicate War Medal (also unofficially impressed); miniatures of the two Stars, War and Coronation Medals, miniature Order of Malta badge and miniature San Marino, Order of St Agatha badge (this in case of issue with space for full-sized award) and Serbia, Order of St Sava, full-sized type 3 Companion’s neck badge, width 51.5mm (attributed to Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees); together with related documents including: Warrants for Italy, Constantinian Order of St George (Knight Cross by Right, 27 Oct. 1960), San Marino, Order of S Agatha (Cavaliere, 9 March 1960) and also large Yugoslavian Royal Decrees dated 29 September 1963 in Paris for Knight Grand Cross the Order of St Sava and Appointment as personal aide-de-camp to Peter II of Yugoslavia; also several further (smaller) Royal Decrees signed by Peter II in four to uniform fine bindings in gilt calf by Zaehnsdorf, London and comprising: Royal Order of St Sava, appointment as Knight Grand Cross (29 September 1963), Order of the White Eagle with Swords, appointment as Commander (London, 10 March 1966) bound with appointment as Privy Councillor (also London, 10 March 1966), Grant of authority to display Count Robin de La Lanne-Mirrlees’ family armorial bearings upon the White Eagle, with signed photograph (London, 7 May 1966) bound with his appointment as personal aide-de-camp to the King in Great Britain (Paris, 2 September 1963) and Royal Order of the White Eagle, appointment of the Count’s son, Count Patrick de La Lanne Mirrlees, as Knight Commander (London, 7 May 1966) - (various)