A Shadow Over Paradise: The Cavallo Island Tragedy
The idyllic setting of Cavallo Island, a haven between land and sea, was once the backdrop for a devastating incident. On the night of August 17, 1978, a dispute between Prince Victor-Emmanuel of Savoy and an Italian boater over a stolen inflatable canoe escalated tragically. Gunshots rang out, and a young German tourist, caught in the crossfire, sustained severe leg injuries. despite a four-month battle for survival, he succumbed to his wounds. In 1991, Prince Victor-Emmanuel was acquitted of murder charges but received a six-month suspended sentence for illegal possession and carrying of firearms.
the Savoy DynastyS Estate Sales
In recent years, the House of Savoy has undertaken meaningful sales of its past properties and possessions. Following an initial auction of items in Geneva in autumn 2023, a second sale took place at Christie’s in Paris in March of the following year. This event saw the dispersal of cherished pieces from the Savoy collection, including custom furniture by Jacques-Martin Lopez and works by Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, whose creations where admired by Princess Marina in her Milanese gallery. These pieces reflected the vibrant, pop-influenced aesthetic of the 1970s, an era that resonated with Prince Victor-Emmanuel, who passed away in February 2024. His own childhood was shaped by the more formal grandeur of the Quirinal Palace in Rome.
Read also >> The furniture of the Swiss villa of Victor Emmanuel and Marina of Savoy at auction
