Kenzo Auctions Art Collection

by Lauren Stewart-Ebert

Last week's auction of Japanese designer Kenzo Takada's personal collection of art and artifacts at the Paris Drouot auction house was a resounding success. The auction netted a total of $2.63 million, selling over 75% of the pieces on the block. The wide range of prices (from $850 to $150,000) kept the auction accessible and the diversity of his eclectic collection attracted huge crowds of buyers from all over the world.

Amongst his stunning assemblage was furniture, statuary, and laquerware from around the globe including China, Japan, France and Belgium.

Living in Paris since the early 1960's, the retired fashion icon developed a keen sense of style. His home was a tasteful mix of Asian and European elements.

A French Louis XV armchair sits next to a Japanese rice paper sliding door.

Bamboo flooring and neutral colors reminiscent of a Zen garden are complimented perfectly by a pair of French Louis XVI meridiennes and Italian Chiavari chairs.

A beautiful eighth century pure gold goddess statue from Thailand drew the highest bids. Originally estimated at $80,000 to $100,000, it sold for $150,000.

Kenzo's reason for offering up his remarkable collection at auction was a desire to simplify, "After 20 years in this house, I wanted to turn the page and live lighter. For parties, it was great, but sometimes when I’m here alone, it’s far too big".

He is moving from his spacious 12,000 square foot mansion in the Bastille area of Paris to a 2,700 square foot apartment on the Left Bank.

Chinese funereal statues from 5th century BC, valued at $20,000 to $60,000.

Chinese horse statues from the 6th century, valued at $14,000 each.

One piece which, surprisingly, did not sell was a large Chinese Han era wooden horse from the 2nd century B.C., estimated at $100,000 to $140,000.

Kenzo has said his new apartment, in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood, will have a markedly European feel. The influence of living in France for the past 45 years is significant, "I discovered Japan only after I had moved to Paris. Now I'm going to rediscover Paris."

We have no doubts that the mix will be nothing short of a masterpiece...

Yves Saint Laurent - Pierre Bergé Auction of the Century at Christie's

Breaking seven world records in auction sales, including those for Matisse, Brancusi, Mondrian, and de Chirico, Pierre Bergé has the "Auction of the Century" in February with the Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé in Paris' newly renovated Grand Palais. The Christie's auction pre-sale expectations standing at $274 million were greatly exceeded with a final result of $484,426,456. This comes as no surprise, with an Eileen Gray armchair selling for $28 million and a Brancusi sculpture at over $37.6 million. Obviously, buyers and collectors are both fascinated and passionate about decorative arts!

Mr. Bergé presented French president Nicolas Sarkozy with a painting by Goya: Portrait of Don Luis Maria de Cistué, representing a legacy to France from Mr. Laurent.

The first night of the auction, Impressionist and Modern works were presented, including works by Mondrian, Léger, Picasso, and Matisse. Take a look:

Piet Mondrian
“Ferme sur le Gein, dissimulee par de grands arbres” ($469, 313)

Fernand Leger
“Composition, dans l’usine” ($7,158,509)

Pablo Picasso
Portrait-charge: "Massine, Bakst et Diaghilev" ($217,862)

Henri Matisse
“Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose” ($46,286,022)

The second night of the auction featured Art Deco furniture in addition to Old Master paintings and drawings. Here's a glimpse at a few of the highlights:

French (four armchairs) (1925) ($132,780)

Alfred Porteneuve
Pair of benches (1930) ($155,984)

Eileen Gray
Armchair with dragons (1917-1919) ($28, 238, 277)

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Meridienne “Elegant” (1920) ($117, 310)

Theodore Gericault
"Portrait d'Alfred et Elisabeth Dedreux" ($11,634,350)

The last day of the auction covered sculptures, ceramics, other furniture, objets d’art and antiquities such as these:

Constantin Brancusi
Madame L.R. ($29,185,000)

Bronze Head Representing Janus ($2,610,478)

This outstanding collection dazzled the public and the press from all over the world. It is easy to see why - the grandeur and sheer abundance of pieces that have been reintroduced to the art world, forever traveling through history, is simply mind-boggling. Now that Mr. Bergé has auctioned the entire collection, he will create a new foundation dedicated to scientific research for the fight against AIDS. Bravo Messieurs, c'était formidable!