Record Breaking Sale: Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé
27th February '09
The world record for most expensive work of 20th Century decorative art at auction was set this past week at the Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé Auction held by Christies Paris.
Eileen Gray’s ‘Dragons’ armchair, circa 1917-1919 rang in at €21.9 million a far greater sum than the estimated €2,000,000 - €3,000,000.
Philippe Garner, International Head and Sonja Ganne, European Director, 20th Century Decorative Art & Design said: “Tonight’s sale was a homage to the great personalities, designers, collectors and patrons who so marked their era in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s and, of course, to the pioneering vision of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé as collectors.”
Other leading highlights of the €59.1 million sale, a world record for a collection of 20th Century Decorative Arts, include Eileen Gray’s lacquered sideboard, 1915-1917, which sold for €3.9 million, estimated €3,000,000 - €5,000,000 and her ‘satellite’ hanging lamp circa 1925 which realised €2.9 million, estimated at €600,000 - €800,000; François-Xavier Lalanne’s YSL bar, 1965, which sold for €2.7 million, estimated €200,000 - €300,000 and Jean Dunand pair of lacquered and gilt metal vases, 1925, which realised €3 million, estimated €1,000,000 - €1,500,000.
Eileen Gray: Enfilade Lacquered sideboard, 1915-1917. Collection Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé
François-Xavier Lalanne: YSL bar, 1965. Collection Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé
Jean Dunand: pair of lacquered and gilt metal vases, 1925. Collection Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé
