The furniture and decorative items in the Detroit mansion of two of Detroit's wealthiest residents will be on sale Friday and Saturday.
Casino magnate Don Barden and financial whiz Bella Marshall composed one of the city's premier power couples during their 22-year marriage, but their final months were spent in acrimony. Don Barden died in 2011 of lung cancer. Marshall died of natural causes in 2012.
In January 2011, Marshall filed court papers seeking to be appointed his guardian, saying he "is most often incoherent and unable to act rationally with respect to financial and family matters."
Barden responded by filing for divorce, saying he was of sound mind, aware of the case his wife filed and that he had hired his own attorney to contest the allegations.
Barden asked the courts to divide the couple's assets according to a prenuptial agreement made before their 1988 marriage. Barden died May 19, 2011, before the divorce case was resolved.
Their large home on Fairway Drive will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to the website of the auction house conducting the sale.
"Come and experience Detroit history," the website urges.
It adds:
The furniture includes a white upholstered sectional with two matching club chairs, eight turquoise leather club chairs on wheels, pair of floral upholstered wing chairs with matching ottomans, brass and glass tea cart, glass top dining table with green marble base, ten mahogany Chippendale style dining chairs, ash buffet, several brass and glass coffee tables and occasional tables, bar stools, bridge bedroom suite, youth bedroom furniture, patio furniture and more.
This home also features many framed prints and artwork, including sketches and prints about the City of Detroit and Wayne County, awards for Don and Bella Barden, Minton "Harlow" china, Waterford, Lalique, Baccarat, art glass, Chinese rugs and carpets, Oriental rugs, tons of Christmas and other holiday items, lamps, garden items, etc.
We are also featuring hundreds of ladies' designer clothing, shoes, and accessories and costume jewelry.
