The soul of the palace is not in its walls but in the art that adorns it and the objects that decorate it. This is why some deep-pocketed billionaire is in luck as 200 treasures from Palazzo Volpi are headed to Sotheby’s Paris on February 28. Palazzo Volpi, dotted with invaluable collections of Count and Countess Giovanni Volpi di Misurata, is a treasure trove of niceties located in San Marco, overlooking the left bank of the Grand Canal. Having belonged to the Volpi family since 1917, this more than a century-old palace can now be yours. Recognized as one of the most grand palaces in the island-city, its contents, which include ornate Venetian mirrors, inlaid Japanese-style consoles, gilded side tables, and many examples of excellent craftsmanship, will be hitting the auction block.
The objects that added allure to the palace’s main floor drawing room, ballroom, and music room, after over 100 years of belonging to the Volpi family, will find a new home. Banquettes, chandeliers in the style of 16th-century sculptor Jacopo Sansovino, and a set of 14 Venetian giltwood chairs, along with modern furnishings by French interior designer Stéphane Boudin, will also be on offer.
The palazzo, owned by Giovanni Volpi, a Formula One team owner, although no longer inhabited by the family, has been a significant part of Venice’s heart throughout the 20th century and beyond. A favorite piece of the Count’s, which he told Tatler he is loth to part with, is an exquisite hanging tapestry, depicting a scene from the life of Alexander the Great.
‘Palazzo Volpi has been the beating heart of Venice throughout the 20th century and beyond,’ he said. ‘We have had the privilege of sharing many memorable moments with our family and friends within its walls. By offering these works of art, we hope that a new generation of collectors will now enjoy their unique beauty and taste and cherish these pieces as much as we did.”
“The Palazzo Volpi encapsulates the history of 20th-century Venice and stands as a testament to the vision of its patriarch—Giuseppe Volpi—who saw the Serenissima as a living city,” said the president of Sotheby’s France, Mario Tavella, in a statement.
“It is a thrill to [be] entrusted by this wonderful family on the sale of this almost untouched collection, put together almost a century ago.” You can bid for the contents of the Renaissance palace that was once visited by Michelangelo in a live auction on 28th February at Sotheby’s Paris
Sheer magnificence of Palazzo Volpi –
Built in the 16th century, the Renaissance palace, a structure that was awe-inspiring with frescoes by Giovanni Antonio da Pordenone, was acquired by Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata in 1917 and has remained in the Volpi family since. The classical Renaissance façade stands out owing to adornments such as bas-relief coats of arms, gargoyles, and beautifully weathered stonework. From its captivating masonry to its water portals distinguished by the renowned blue and white barbershop poles, the 500-year-old palace is regarded as one of the grandest, the interiors of which are only witnessed by a select few. The Volpi family is credited with being great patrons of Venetian arts and culture. They launched theater and dance biennales as well as the Venice Film Festival (La Mostra) in 1932. Palazzo Volpi has been a hub of hosting celebrated talents like Josephine Baker and Jean Cocteau to Coco Chanel and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. In later years, guests have included Andy Warhol, Maria Callas, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Jack Nicholson.
