In 1952, silent film star Charlie Chaplin and his family checked in to the Savoy, a beloved luxury hotel in London’s Westminster neighborhood founded by opera impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte. Chaplin was already a celebrity at the time, having starred in such renowned films as Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940), and during his three-month stay at the Savoy, the building was continuously surrounded by fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the great showman.
Moments of reprieve from the limelight were fleeting. Sometimes, Chaplin was able to sneak out unnoticed to visit places from his childhood. At other times, he disguised himself and joined the crowds outside, joining them in chanting “We want Charlie!”
Most days, though, he stayed in his suite with his family, friends, and, on one occasion, a portrait painter who immortalized the occasion on canvas.
Fast forward several decades, and that very painting is now going up for sale by Pro Auction, alongside the vast majority of furniture and room decorations that filled the Savoy during Chaplin’s historic stay. The auction takes place from December 11-12, will be accessible online for international bids, and will offer, in the words of the U.K.-based auction house, a rare opportunity to “acquire a little bit of the Savoy’s magic.”
The Chaplin portrait, painted by an unknown artist. Photo: Pro Auction.
The emphasis is on rare, as most of the items listed on Pro Auction’s website come with rather low price tags. A stately Italian Francesco Molon Design Georgian-style breakfront will go under the hammer for an asking price of just £80 ($102), the same number attached to various Heathfield and Co. Corinthian-style table lamps with silk shades.
Some of the cheapest items are the Zonca Voghera Italia Empire bouillotte-style polished brass chandelier pendants, which are listed for a mind-boggling £5 ($6.40) per piece. With over 1,903 auction lots to choose from, the assortment is nothing short of overwhelming.
More furniture included in the auction. Photo: Pro Auction.
Chaplin’s portrait painting falls on the more expensive side, with a minimum bid of £17,000 ($21,000). It’s one of several listings associated with the hotel’s so-called Personality Suites, named after the celebrities that stayed there, attracted by the hotel’s reputation for innovation (it was the first in London to be fully equipped with electric lights) and comfort.
Some of the Savoy’s notable guests, many of whom were American, include Frank Sinatra, Edward VII, Oscar Wilde, Babe Ruth, Harry Truman, Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles.
Stately mirror with wooden frame. Photo: Pro Auction.
In addition to furniture, the Savoy is auctioning off a variety of artworks that once served as decoration. Aside from the Chaplin portrait, these include framed prints of original drawings and paintings by artists like Peter de Wint, Claude Monet, William Havell, and Joshua Reynolds. For £380 ($480), you could become the owner of two prints after Brian Cox’s Pembroke Castle and The Junction of the Severn, while £150 ($191) will get you a print after a drawing by Art Nouveau pioneer Gustav Klimt.
Wooden cupboard. Photo: Pro Auction.
According to BBC News, the Savoy is getting rid of furniture and decorations that were rendered obsolete following a three-year renovation in 2010. Although these items have histories as rich as the suites themselves—and continued to be a major draw for guests—the hotel ultimately decided it was finally time for something new.
The good news is that, even if you can no longer visit the old Savoy, you can still get a bit of the old Savoy into your own home. “The Savoy is synonymous with luxury, with history, with prestige, with lifestyle,” a spokesperson for Pro Auction said. “Each item embodies the prestige, history and impeccable craftsmanship synonymous with the Savoy name.”