Yves Saint Laurent's knick-knacks for sale

Having already sold much of the vast and valuable art collection they amassed over a half-century, the partner of late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent is now preparing to sell thousands of everyday items from their glamorous homes.

Christie's, which held a blockbuster auction of Saint Laurent and partner Pierre Bergé's art collection in Paris in February, will sell thousands of the couple's knick-knacks and personal artifacts from Nov. 17 to 20. An exhibit of the lots opens in Paris on Thursday.

Up for grabs are regular objects, from furniture to kitchenware to jewelry, that nonetheless demonstrate the haute couture couple's sense of style.

Items range from the mundane (such as pots and pans) to the quirky (like dog-shaped salt shakers) to the extravagant (including crystal chandeliers, a 1949 Fernand Léger gouache painting and a pair of early-19th century gilded armchairs that once belonged to Queen Hortense of Holland).

Like the February event, which surpassed $600 million Cdn in sales, proceeds from this new auction are earmarked for a foundation supporting AIDS research and charities.

Next week's auction is "really very intimate and very personal and very different" from the headline-grabbing sale of museum-worthy art in February, Christie's furniture specialist Simon de Monicault told The Associated Press during a preview showing on Tuesday.

"Beyond the usual collectors, we expect to get bidders who are seduced by the idea of owning something that was once used by Saint Laurent but maybe couldn't afford anything at the first sale."

Saint Laurent died in June 2008 after a battle with brain cancer. He was 71.