Lavish contents of Gianni Versace's home to be auctioned in London

Bronze busts, glazed terracotta reliefs and 19 century and paintings are among the 546 lots from the home of the late Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace on display at Sotheby's in London from today.

The lavish contents of Versace's Italian home at Villa Fontanelle at Moltrasio on Lake Como in Northern Italy went on show at Sotheby's ahead of an auction on 18 March. The auctioneers have recreated rooms from the lakeside property - including his bedroom, complete with giant stone statues of naked Greek pugilists - for the display and sale.

Included in the collection is a painting by Johann Zoffany, depicts Major George Maule, which was thought to have been lost but was actually part of Versace's collection for 15 years.

The auction features 546 lots of furniture and art that filled Villa Fontanelle.

Gianni Versace, who founded the Italian fashion house Versace, was murdered outside his Miami home in 1997, aged 50.