Lioness skin, Panthera leo, tanned, carpetted, head naturalised, with paws and claws, open mouth, felt lining, 270x190 cm Provenance and family tradition: Gift to General Fazllolah Zahedi in the 1950s, father of Ardeshir Zahedi, probably during his time as Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva. This skin has been in Switzerland since that date. This lot cannot be transported outside Switzerland by Piguet. The lot must be collected in person from our premises or a delivery address provided in Switzerland. In the event of purchase, it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that he/she imports the lot legally into the country of destination, in compliance with the regulations of the country of import. Piguet will not be able to provide the necessary documents for the export of these lots. We invite you to familiarise yourself with the laws applicable in the country of import before bidding on this lot. Failure to obtain the required export and/or import permits from the relevant authorities does not constitute grounds for cancellation of the sale of the lot. The mouth, nose and teeth are made of resin This lot cannot be transported by Piguet outside Switzerland. The lot must be collected in person from our premises or a delivery address provided in Switzerland. In the event of purchase, it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that he/she is legally importing the lot into the country of destination, in compliance with the regulations of the country of import. Piguet will not be able to provide the necessary documents for the export of these lots. We invite you to familiarise yourself with the laws applicable in the country of import before bidding on this lot. Failure to obtain the required export and/or import permits from the relevant authorities does not constitute grounds for cancellation of the sale of the lot. Collection of His Excellency Ardeshir Zahedi His Excellency Ardeshir Zahedi (1928-2021) lived in Montreux since his exile from Iran in 1979, in the Villa Les Roses acquired by his father some twenty years earlier. As generous as he was discreet, throughout his life he forged links with the most influential people, receiving them into his home as friends. Very active in local life as a patron of music festivals, humanitarian causes and all kinds of associations, he was awarded the honorary title of Ambassador of Montreux, having introduced countless personalities from all over the world to the region over a period of more than 50 years. H.E. Ardeshir Zahedi is admired as much for his exceptional career as for his prestigious family. As Iran's Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Great Britain and the United States, and as a close adviser to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in whose confidence he remained throughout his life, this statesman and eminent diplomat was a key figure in his country's history from the 1950s to 1979. His father, General Fazlollah Zahedi (1892-1963), was an excellent military officer and political strategist who became Prime Minister of Iran in 1953 before restoring the Shah to his throne and retiring in all loyalty. Ardeshir Zahedi, from one of Iran's great families, became the Shah's son-in-law. In 1957 he married H.I.H. Princess Shahnaz Pahlavi, the only daughter of H.M. the Shah and H.R.H. Princess Fawzia of Egypt (daughter of H.M. King Fouad I). His only daughter was born of this union. More than 370 lots from his personal collection make up this exceptional sale. He acquired them or received them as an inheritance, and they were all located at his residence, the Villa les Roses, a place of life, diplomatic meetings and influential exchanges... They include paintings, furniture, precious carpets, crockery and silverware, precious objects and souvenirs that he loved and that often followed him when he moved house. This furniture preserves the historical memory of world leaders who came to visit or stay, presidents, monarchs or crowned heads such as King Fouad, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, Richard Nixon, Kofi Annan, the President of the Swiss Confederation Pierre Aubert or Claude Nobs... Many of the objects included in this catalogue are also gifts received from celebrities throughout his life. These include Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Henry Kissinger, Benazir Bhutto and King Hassan II of Morocco, whose photos, often autographed, bear witness to the friendship they felt for their friend Ardeshir. The lots are divided into 3 sections: - On Tuesday 10 December, online sale for all furniture, precious objects, numismatics, paintings, etc. - Wednesday 11 December: indoor sale of two paintings (lot 26 and 38) - Thursday 12 December: online sale of the collection of jewellery, watches, clocks, etc. Please note Photos of personalities illustrating the lots are not sold with the lots. They remain in the family archives or in university collections. In keeping with the Zahedi family's values of sharing and transmission, part of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to charity.