THE FABRIC MID-20TH CENTURY, THE TABLES LATER

Alexis von Roseburg, Baron du Redé (1922-2004) was a man of impeccable taste. In 1947 he moved into the 17th century Hôtel Lambert in Paris, which he restored and then used to host glittering extravaganzas. He was described as 'the Eugén de Rastignac of modern Paris' by Sir Henry 'Chips' Channon and as the greatest host in Europe - his parties were famous. A painting by Alexandre Serebriakoff depicting the Salle des Muses at Hôtel Lambert exemplifies the opulence of the Baron de Redé's taste in interior desgin (illustrated in H. Vickers, Alexis: The Memoirs of the Baron de Redé, Wimborne, 2005, p. 57). The Baron's collection of furniture, objets d'art and lavish furnishings was sold at Sotheby's, Paris, 17 March 2005. A pair of similar tables was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 26 January 2007, lot 1176 (£3,840).