Gabrielle Coco Chanels elegant apartment with the bronze deers who once belonged to Marchesa Luisa C

Gabrielle Coco Chanels elegant apartment with the bronze deers who once belonged to Marchesa Luisa Casati.

The gilt-covered woodland scene that frames the salon’s marble mantelpiece is reminiscent of the work of muralist Josep Maria Sert, Gabrielle Coco Chanel’s close friend.

There’s one thing that caught my attention the most. A couple of bronze deers that very few people know to be owned by Marchesa Luisa Casati. In fact, by 1930, Casati had amassed a debt of twenty-five million U.S. dollars and, unable to satisfy countless creditors, her personal possessions were confiscated and auctioned off at the Palais Rose in 1932. Among the bidders was Coco Chanel, who purchased these bronze deer mascots. After Marchesa’s failure, all her objects, artworks and rare collectables were sold and lost and many of these works, today, remain untraceable. That’s why this finding is invaluable! (x)