PARIS.- Sotheby’s today announces the appointment of Mario Tavella, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe and European Head of Single-Owner Collections, as Président Directeur Général of Sotheby’s France. Based in London since 1991, he will assume his duties at the helm of the Paris office as of 4 January 2016.

A passionate champion for the Decorative Arts and a distinguished international specialist for almost 25 years, Mario Tavella has an excellent understanding of the international market. In the course of his career, he has developed strong relationships with many of the greatest collectors in Europe and his time at Sotheby’s has been underpinned by his great success as a business-winner in many categories. In a competitive market, his strategic and innovative vision has made a critical difference on countless occasions. His ability to rise to challenges is evident, for example, in his role as the architect behind Treasures, a thematic sale he conceived and introduced in 2010. These flagship sales have since gone from strength to strength and are now a key fixture in the world of decorative arts, taking place every summer at Sotheby’s London.

Maarten Ten Holder, Managing Director of Sotheby’s Europe, said: “We are thrilled to have Mario take the position of Président-Directeur Général of Sotheby’s France. He brings to the role a wealth of relevant experience and talent as a business getter, together with an abundance of charm, drive and infectious energy. It’s these qualities that have underpinned so many of the landmark sales he has secured for us over the years, not just for the UK, where he has been based until now, but also for New York, Italy, and, critically, for Paris, where his charisma, sophistication and knowledge have captured the imagination of so many great collectors. Mario is, to my mind, a modern Renaissance man – an inspiring leader and a great team player on the global stage.”

Mario Tavella, Président-Directeur Général of Sotheby’s France, commented: “I am delighted to join such a strong team - one I have known so well for so many years, and with whom I have worked and collaborated since we held our very first sales in France, right through from the sale of the collection of Luigi Laura in 2001 to the auction devoted to the Dillée dynasty last March. I very much hope that my professional journey will prove to be an advantage for Paris, which is such a key centre for Sotheby’s globally”.

Mario Tavella joined the company as a specialist in the furniture department in 1991. In 1998 he became both Head of Division and a member of the European board. Just two years later, he was appointed European Head of Furniture and Decorative Arts, and soon after that, in 2003, he was again promoted to the position of Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe. In 2003, he became Chairman of Sotheby’s Italy, where he was tasked with overseeing business-getting. During the course of his career, he has been the driving force behind no fewer than 50 sales of single-owner collections in London, Paris, Milan ad New York. To name just a few of his notable successes: in London, the collections of Barbara Piasecka Johnson, Alberto Bruni Tedeschi, Dimitri Mavrommatis and the contents of Gianni Versace’s Lake Como residence; in New York, the collections of Lily & Edmond J. Safra and Ariane Dandois; and in Paris, the collections of Monsieur Léon Levy and, most recently, the private collection of the Dillée family.

Mario Tavella is also the author of articles for several art journals, including Two coral cabinets made for Claude Lamoral I, Prince de Ligne and Viceroy of Sicily for the Burlington Magazine (July 2014). He was also the co-author of the book L’Ambassade d’Italie a Paris, L’Hotel de la Rochefoucauld-Doudeauvile published by SKIRA (2009).