City among bidders for Tavern on Green's tchotchkes

NYC

Among the surprise bidders at the Tavern on the Green auction this week is the restaurant's landlord, New York City.

The city bought items—wood paneling, murals and ceiling fixtures—it had previously tried to obtain by force in court, but was unsuccessful. Earlier this week a judge sided with the LeRoy family, which has operated Tavern on the Green since 1976, and told the city it could not lay claim to these items.

On Thursday, officials from Guernsey's, which is handling the three-day auction, announced that the rare chestnut wall paneling in the Chestnut Room, a 40-foot mural in the Park Room and fixtures on the ceiling of the Crystal Room, had been removed from the sale. The wood paneling alone had an estimated value of as much as $500,000. No explanation was offered at the time.

Guernsey's president, Arlan Ettinger, confirmed on Friday that the items, as well as some outdoor chairs, were purchased in a private deal with the city. He declined to provide financial details about the transaction.

“Everyone was a winner in this deal,” said the auctioneer.

A spokeswoman for the Parks Department declined to offer details on the city's purchases, but said the city is pleased that “some of the beautiful items that people have always enjoyed seeing in the restaurant will remain there.” Sources familiar with the transaction said that the city purchased more than just a few items.

The incoming operator of the restaurant, Dean Poll, was also among the bidders for the wood paneling before it was removed from the auction. He purchased at least one chandelier, and possibly more, this week.

In court this week, the city had argued that removing the wall and ceiling pieces would harm the building.

Meanwhile, the auction concludes Friday with an assortment of items such as plates, utensils and kitchen ware that would mostly appeal to restaurant operators.

Thursday night some of the biggest ticket items were sold, including the three most expensive pieces of the auction, all Tiffany glass items. The highest bid for $180,000 was for the Tiffany glass ceiling of the Russian Tea Room and Maxwell's Plum restaurants. The second most expensive item—also a fixture from those two restaurants—was the Starburst Tiffany Glass ceiling piece that went for $120,000 and the third item, a Tiffany glass peacock mural, sold for $75,000.

The 19th Century Green Osler Chandelier in the Crystal Room, which was among the most touted items, sold for just $67,500, far less than its estimated value of as much as $300,000.