The inaugural auction of 49 artworks and artifacts from the collection of famous artist Elton John took place at Christie’s New York. Almost every piece was sold, attaining a total of $8 million, which was double the house’s presale estimate. Forty percent of the purchasers and bids were first-time visitors to the property, and they came from thirty-four different nations. Following the auction, the consignor kept one piece, which was a Damien Hirst.
A Banksy Flower Thrower Triptych (2017), which the artist had sold to the singer directly, was the most expensive item of the evening, selling for $1.9 million despite a high estimate of $1.5 million. The sale prices include the house’s expenses, but the presale estimates do not. Despite a high estimate of $ 500,000, a 1982 tiny Keith Haring artwork depicting a happy face with three eyes cost $756,000. The picture is nameless. Artworks Robert Mapplethorpe, Herb Ritts, Julian Schnabel, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, and William Klein, were also on display.
The artist’s art collection was part of the auction, but there were other things. From an initial estimate of $25,000 to a final price of around $441,000, 24 participants bid on his 1990 Bentley Continental, a vehicle he carried along on his worldwide trips.
Three timepieces did very well, selling for at least three times their initial projections. Auctioned off for $176,400 was a signed Cartier, Paris, Tank Normale, which broke the model’s previous record and was nearly nine times the low estimate of $20,000.
As expected, Sir Elton’s distinctively styled apparel, jewelry, and accessories also smashed projections. Nineteen times the low estimate, a pair of silver leather platform boots with the initials E and J sold for $94,500, and a Versace (Rosenthal) porcelain Medusa Red table set fetched $55,440, above the low estimate of $4,000.
Deputy chairman of Christie’s Americas Tash Perrin said in a news release, “The view from the rostrum this evening was fantastic; with an incredible energy in the room and outstanding activity online.” So said the event. The opportunity to sell Elton John’s illuminating collection was a great honor. The top lot for tonight surpassed the high estimate, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome: the Banksy Flower Thrower Triptych. Lots ranging from an EJ monogrammed pair of boots to a Versace dining service set significantly outsold their high estimates, which made us very happy. Tomorrow morning, we will begin the Day Sales, and we are thrilled about it.
The 28th of February is the last day to shop online.
Image Courtesy : Christie’s.
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