UK Auction Info

Bonhams has announced that it has been appointed to sell elected contents from the Café Royal, London. Over 120 lots from this historic establishment will go under the hammer on Tuesday 20 January 2009 at Bonhams Knightsbridge salerooms.

The doors to the Café Royale will close forever on Monday 22 December 2008 following the announcement that it is to be turned into a five star hotel. Viewing for the sale will take place before Christmas at the Café Royale on Sunday 21 December, from 9am to 12 noon and Monday 22 December 2008, from 9am to 9pm.

The sale includes a wide range of items from the Café Royal, from humidors and brandy caskets from its legendary cellars to the opulent Venetian chandeliers which hang in the Napoleon suite. Also included is the Café Royal’s original boxing ring, which has been used at many of the black tie boxing events held over the years.

Charlie Thomas, Head of Knightsbridge Furniture, says “ Building on the success of the Savoy sale last year Bonhams is delighted to be selling the contents of the Café Royal. Bidders will have the opportunity to acquire a small piece of this iconic London institution”.

Established in 1865, regulars of the Café Royal over the years include Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling, Noel Coward, Sir Winston Churchill, Cary Grant, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, Mick Jagger, Margaret Thatcher, Virginia Woolf, Muhammad Ali and Yul Brynner.

Further information at http://www.bonhams.com/knightsbridgefurniture