Cabinet fetches record €27m

AN 18th century cabinet broke its own record price for a piece of furniture at auction yesterday when it sold for more than €27.5 million.

The Badminton Cabinet fetched €27,601,810, including buyer's premium, at Christie's in London, breaking its own record of €12.3m set at Christie's on July 5, 1990.

It was bought in the room by Dr Johan Kraeftner, director of the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna, on behalf of Prinz Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein for the museum.

Dr Kraeftner said: "We are delighted to have been the successful buyers today.

"I tried to bid as fast as I could to secure this magnificent object for our collection.

"We look forward to welcoming the international public to view the Badminton Cabinet in Vienna where it will be on permanent display from spring 2005."

Christie's UK chairman Charles Cator said: "Yet again the Badminton Cabinet has pushed the boundaries of the art market.

"The cabinet transcends the boundaries of furniture, combining architecture, sculpture and painting in pietre dure, resulting in a unique masterpiece."

There were three other bidders competing for the cabinet.

Dermot Chichester, co-chairman of Christie's UK, brought the hammer down and the price marks the most expensive lot he has sold.

The cabinet was made for Henry Somerset, third Duke of Beaufort, by the Grand Ducal workshops (Opificio delle pietre dure) in Florence, from 1720-1732, under the supervision of the Foggini family. Standing at 151 inches by 91 inches, the cabinet is said to be the greatest Florentine work of art of its time and includes lapis lazuli, agate and Sicilian red and green jasper.