March 20, 2009 - Discussing the results of the auction, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe, responsible for Single-Owner Collections, Mario Tavella, comments: “With heated bidding in today’s auction extending beyond 12 hours, the day sale turned into an evening sale too. From the recreation of the villa's rooms in Sotheby’s galleries to the hugely enthusiastic bidding in the saleroom, this event epitomised the glamour and vision of Gianni Versace and was a fitting way to mark the sale of his most beloved – and until now very private – Lake Como collection. We are absolutely thrilled with the extraordinary results of today’s sale and the high level of lots that achieved prices well above their presale estimates – in some cases ten fold.”

The sale’s top-selling lots were an exceptional pair of Italian cherry wood and patinated bronze-mounted breakfront bookcases by Karl Roos which sold for £481,250 ($674,664) and £601,250 ($842,892) respectively (lots 169 and 170, pre-sale est. £60,000-100,000 and £80,000-100,000). These important bookcases, formerly housed in Versace’s bedroom, were originally commissioned by Princess Pauline Borghese, sister of Napoleon Bonaparte, for the Library at Palazzo Borghese in Rome in 1814.