PARIS.- More than 120 personal and historic items belonging to the Prince and Princess Yusupov will be offered for sale during this auction. Preserved by Victor Contreras, a friend of the princely couple, in Cuernavaca, Mexico, for 60 years, this collection is comprised of paintings, icons, and part of the Prince’s wardrobe, along with a set of 25 “grotesques” drawings made by the Prince himself at the end of the 1930’s.

A tribute to the Great Russian Empire
The Prince Felix and his wife, through their names and actions, are major figures of the Russian Empire history. They lived in the splendors of the royal imperial court, and ended up in a private hotel of the 16th arrondissement of Paris after the Revolution. Their incredible life trajectory, as well as the part they played in Rasputin’s assassination, is today legendary.

In memory of her parents after their death, Princess Irina Yusupov, Countess Sheremeteva and sole children of the couple, gave the historic items presented during this auction to Victor Contreras. The latter met the princely couple in 1958 during a formal reception when he was a fine art student. They became fond of this 17-years old young man, treated him like a spiritual son and took him in their home for 5 years.

Beyond their undeniable quality, the items offered for sale during this auction are a real testimony of the private and official history of the Russian Empire. Among other items:

• A silver statue of Jupiter attributed to Benvenuto CELLINI (1500 - 1571) and mounted on a golden pedestal by Cartier in New York. It is one of the rare treasures the Prince Yusupov saved during the Revolution (200,000/250,000 €)

• A silver-gilt and polychrome enamel portable icon of Princess Irina. (35,000/40,000 €)

• The regalia worn by Prince Felix Yusupov during the Eglington ball held in London, on July 11th, 1912. (25,000 /30,000 €)