Sotheby’s are selling Slava’s stuff

From the auction house:

In 2007 Sotheby’s sold the art collection of two of Russia’s greatest musical legends, Slava Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya. This November Sotheby’s will auction their private collection of jewellery, furniture, musical instruments and Russian works of art. Comprising items acquired over the course of three decades from their emigration in 1974, the auction shines an intimate light on their fascinating lives together.

From the Antiques Trade Gazette:

The dedicated sale will feature over 300 lots, including furniture, personal jewellery, Russian works of art, books, and even musical instruments played by the maestro, and by some of the most prevalent contemporary composers and musicians of the era – including Henry Dutilleux, Witold Lutoslawski, Alfred Schnittke, Arthur Rubinstein and numerous others.

The collection is offered with an estimate in excess of £3.5m.

Jo Vickery, Sotheby’s international director of Russian art and head of the sale, said: “We are thrilled to be instructed by Olga and Elena Rostropovich [the daughters of Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya] to sell works from their parents’ personal collection.  We have a long-standing relationship with the family having sold their legendary collection of Russian art in 2007 which is now housed in Konstantinov Palace in Russia.

“Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya both loved taking part in auctions and were frequent visitors to Sotheby’s in the 1990s and we are delighted to work with the family once again.”