A LIGHT AMID THE DARKNESS
The chandelier in this luxury apartment must be one of the world’s most unusual talking points. The 90kg Swarovski crystal-encrusted dazzler made of 22-carat gold featuring 44 bulbs would impress most people.
But it also has a horrifying link to one of the world’s most notoriously violent dictators, Saddam Hussein.
It was commissioned by the former Iraqi leader for one of his palaces.
Sourced via a London company from a German manufacturer, the shipment was blocked when the first Gulf War broke out in 1990.
Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by US forces, Saddam initially hid in a bunker before being discovered and captured. Following a trial, he was executed in 2006.
The owner of the apartment where the chandelier now hangs bought it for an undisclosed sum from the London dealer and has said he is prepared to either sell it separately or offer it as part of the apartment, which is for sale.
It’s a 3,500 sq ft five bedroom, first floor apartment near Hyde Park in central London spanning two stucco-fronted buildings.
For sale at £5.25 million, it features a huge main drawing room with a 15ft high ceiling where the chandelier hangs, as well as a formal dining room, a roof terrace, mezzanine landing, TV lounge, faux oak-beamed kitchen, galleried master bedroom, a long front balcony and rooftop terrace.