Dreweatts is proud to announce the sale Alchemy of Design: The Collection of Count Manfredi della Gherardesca. The auction, on Wednesday 24 April 2024, is a celebration of one of the most colourful, culturally erudite and well-loved figures in the London and international art and design scenes.

An interior designer, art collector and arbiter of style, Manfredi was born to the noble Italian Della Gherardesca family, and raised surrounded by the beauty of the museums and galleries of Florence. Later, his mind would be captured by the draw of the contemporary, and the way it challenged entrenched tastes and set ideals. It was the act of balancing these two important and enriching themes which would consume the rest of his professional life. 

The culmination of over 3 years of planning, the sale explores Manfredi’s many diversions, spanning Modern and Contemporary art, design and photography, to Old Master paintings, English and European furniture and sculpture, as well as the many exceptional decorative objects he used like alchemy to balance and curate his eclectic harmony. All point towards the pop-like multicultural sensibility of this much missed tastemaker and his discerning eye to create distinct yet personal environments.

Joe Robinson, Head of House Sales and Private Collections said “Dreweatts are proud to have worked with Manfredi in the early stages of development for his sale and to have been entrusted with his collection, which is emblematic and a celebration of his sublime, witty, and entirely original style.”

Auction:
Wednesday 24 April, 10.30am BST
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Bidding:
Bidding is available online, in person, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.  To learn more including details on registering to bid, payment and shipping, click here. To register to bid, click here.    

On View:
London (highlights): Dreweatts, 16-17 Pall Mall, St James's, London SW1Y 5LU
Tuesday 19 - Wednesday 27 March 2024: 10am - 4pm (no viewing on Saturday & Sunday).

Newbury (full sale): Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
Saturday 20 April - Wednesday 24 April 2024

Further information:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: smaylor@dreweatts.com 
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