The first sale of the Karl Largerfeld collection in Monaco on April 28 and 29 recorded a 155,78 million FF (US $ 21,34 million) turnover with 96 % of lots sold.
Christie's however expected a better result, in the region of $ 25 millions, but failed to reap the fruit of their massive press campaign while some controversial statements made by a rather conceited Lagerfeld eventually annoyed many would-be buyers.
Four 18th Century tapestries from the Gobelins manufacture representing the story of Queen esther sold for 4,98 million FF ($ 682,000) but were pre-empted by the French State. They will thus return to the Château of La Roche-Guyon.
Still, several important lots sold badly such as a bed attributed to Georges Jacob, which only fetched 470,000 FF ($ 64,380) while an important sculpture by Falconet remained unsold.
Among the good bids on 18th century pieces of furniture, a toilet table by Oeben went for 1,9 million FF ($ 260,000), a marvellous armchair attributed to Boucault reached 2,78 million FF ($ 380,080) and a wardrobe by Riesener fetched 3,55 million FF (US $ 486,300) while a carpet from the famous Savonnerie manufacture sold for 6,19 million FF ($ 847,950).
Meanwhile a Bureau (desk) described as «18th Century style» by Christie's went for a surprising 1,46 million FF ($ 200,000), three times its pre-sale estimate.
Some good bargains were recorded during the second day notably regarding a chandelier, described as of 18 Century style, which went for 223 250 FF ($ 30,580), whereas most dealers thought it really was genuine, as well as a Louis XVI mantle screen, wrongly described by Christie's as from the 1820 period, sold for 266 400 FF in 1994, which only fetched 44 650 FF ($ 6,116) this time.
Among the surprises, a Kilim Bessarabian 19th Century carpet fetched 470,000 FF ($ 64,380) while a nice terracotta sculpture by Falconet went for 446 500 FF ($ 61,160). An Art deco carpet, paid 37 740 FF a few years ago, went for 329 000 FF ($ 45,065) but four armchairs by Heurtault only reached 1 027 000 FF ($ 140,680) after most dealers suggested that two of these were in fact late copies.
A pedestal table by Carlin, bought for 1,44 million FF in 1985, fetched 7,73 million FF ($ 1,058,000) while a splendid Yuan vase mounted on a magnificent gilt bronze base went for 8,06 million ($ 1,104,110). It had been sold for £ 77,000 in 1981 and for $ 522,500 at the Ortiz-Patino sale in 1992. Still, Karl Lagerfeld has not made any significant profit overall and will have to wait for the sale of his collection of old masters on May 23rd to be sure that he will at least break even regarding his huge investment.
The first sale of the Karl Largerfeld collection in Monaco on April 28 and 29 recorded a 155,78 million FF (US $ 21,34 million) turnover with 96 % of lots sold.
Christie's however expected a better result, in the region of $ 25 millions, but failed to reap the fruit of their massive press campaign while some controversial statements made by a rather conceited Lagerfeld eventually annoyed many would-be buyers.
Four 18th Century tapestries from the Gobelins manufacture representing the story of Queen esther sold for 4,98 million FF ($ 682,000) but were pre-empted by the French State. They will thus return to the Château of La Roche-Guyon.
Still, several important lots sold badly such as a bed attributed to Georges Jacob, which only fetched 470,000 FF ($ 64,380) while an important sculpture by Falconet remained unsold.
Among the good bids on 18th century pieces of furniture, a toilet table by Oeben went for 1,9 million FF ($ 260,000), a marvellous armchair attributed to Boucault reached 2,78 million FF ($ 380,080) and a wardrobe by Riesener fetched 3,55 million FF (US $ 486,300) while a carpet from the famous Savonnerie manufacture sold for 6,19 million FF ($ 847,950).
Meanwhile a Bureau (desk) described as «18th Century style» by Christie's went for a surprising 1,46 million FF ($ 200,000), three times its pre-sale estimate.
Some good bargains were recorded during the second day notably regarding a chandelier, described as of 18 Century style, which went for 223 250 FF ($ 30,580), whereas most dealers thought it really was genuine, as well as a Louis XVI mantle screen, wrongly described by Christie's as from the 1820 period, sold for 266 400 FF in 1994, which only fetched 44 650 FF ($ 6,116) this time.
Among the surprises, a Kilim Bessarabian 19th Century carpet fetched 470,000 FF ($ 64,380) while a nice terracotta sculpture by Falconet went for 446 500 FF ($ 61,160). An Art deco carpet, paid 37 740 FF a few years ago, went for 329 000 FF ($ 45,065) but four armchairs by Heurtault only reached 1 027 000 FF ($ 140,680) after most dealers suggested that two of these were in fact late copies.
A pedestal table by Carlin, bought for 1,44 million FF in 1985, fetched 7,73 million FF ($ 1,058,000) while a splendid Yuan vase mounted on a magnificent gilt bronze base went for 8,06 million ($ 1,104,110). It had been sold for £ 77,000 in 1981 and for $ 522,500 at the Ortiz-Patino sale in 1992. Still, Karl Lagerfeld has not made any significant profit overall and will have to wait for the sale of his collection of old masters on May 23rd to be sure that he will at least break even regarding his huge investment.
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