28/05/2014
Our auction this week was a huge success with most of the lots selling within or above the estimates. The most hotly contested piece (quite rightly) was the beautiful embroidered midnight blue jacket from Elsa Schiaparelli’s Astrology collection, order Winter, 1938-9. A bank of telephones battled against bidders in the room to send the price soaring to £110, shop 000 (£132,000 with premium). It is probably one of the best and most beautiful couture pieces we have ever had the privilege to handle.
This was a sale crammed with delights, no matter the period. Natalia Goncharova for Myrbor’s cubo-futuist appliqued crepe de chine dress was another rarity that attracted huge international attention. The dress is a fusion of fashion with art. This talented and important Russian artist used the coral-pink crepe de chine ground as a canvas for the glittering abstract appliques. This sold to an overseas museum for £12,000 hammer against an estimate of £4000-6000.
Alexander McQueen’s ‘buttercup’ dress from the ‘Natural Distinction, Un-Natural Selection’ collection, Spring-Summer 2009, sold for £16,000 hammer against an estimate of £8000-12000. A gossamer fine Vionnet cape circa 1930 (which had been purchased for £70 at an antiques fair in Surrey ten years ago, below right) estimate £3000-5000, sold for £10,000 hammer, and so it went on…
The market was strong right the way through this carefully curated auction – from antique dress through to contemporary Commes des Garcons and handbags. All of the achieved prices are currently listed on our website – so do take a look.