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Karl Lagerfeld Auction Achieves Staggering Sums for Works of Art and Design

The first four Sotheby's sales of the late designer's extensive estate has brought more than €18.2 million

By Jill Sieracki
Elegant living room with large windows, stylish furniture, a central wooden table, and a vibrant rug.
Karl Lagerfeld’s Louveciennes home. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

When Karl Lagerfeld passed away in 2019, he left behind a fashion legacy not soon to be forgotten. His work for Chanel, Fendi, and his own namesake label earned him a place amongst other sartorial icons and his exceptional craftsmanship and imagination will be studied and celebrated for generations to come. Lagerfeld himself was also a discerning and voracious collector and his estate was so vast, Sotheby’s created numerous auctions to parcel out the more than 1,000 lots of his belongings, which included exceptional furnishings, works of art, and myriad pieces of luggage, clothing, and other accessories.

“The biggest challenge was to make a selection that covered all Karl Lagerfeld’s tastes,” Pierre Mothes, vice president of Sotheby’s France told Galerie ahead of the first online sale in early December. “By selecting a bit more than 1,000 lots, we wanted to highlight Karl’s immense culture. This group gives us some clues on Karl Lagerfeld’s lifestyle and on the man he was.”

Art Deco vanity with green chair and vintage posters on cream wall, next to a white ornate floor lamp.
Karl Lagerfeld’s apartment in Louveciennes. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Modern office space with black furniture, colorful rug, stacked books, art on walls, and large windows providing natural light.
Karl Lagerfeld’s 8 rue des Saint-Pères apartment. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's

So far two online auctions and two live auctions in Paris and Monaco have concluded, achieving a cumulative €18.2 million; many of Lagerfeld’s meticulously selected treasures achieved staggering sums that far exceeded their pre-sale auctions. “After the historic success of the inaugural sale in Monaco, Part II of the KARL sale has again surpassed expectations,” Mothes said in a statement. “Collectors from around the world eagerly pursued Karl Lagerfeld’s objects and drawings, cementing his status as a fashion icon. The ‘Kaiser’ would surely have been touched by the tremendous public success of these sales.”

Ahead of the final part, taking place in March, 2022, in Cologne, a look at some of the exceptional pieces that have already crossed the block.

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Karl Lagerfeld Auctions Achieve Staggering Sums for Works of Art and Design

An 18th-century Neoclassical work, Two Vestals holding an Athenian, from the designer’s estate sold for u20ac56,700 in Sotheby’s December 14 Paris auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Circa 1920 French marble bust of a woman went for a jaw-dropping u20ac107,100, shattering its early estimate of u20ac5,000-u20ac8,000.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Jean Burkhalter lithograph L’inhumaine (1924), which achieved u20ac30,240, far exceeding its u20ac8,000-u20ac12,000 pre-sale estimate.

Circa 1968 Maria Pergay round cocktail table brought in u20ac37,800, far above its u20ac8,000-u20ac12,000 pre-sale estimate.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Close to 30 pieces by Martin Szekely were featured in Sotheby’s December 14 Paris auction of the estate of Karl Lagerfeld. This circa 2006 console by Szekely saw the hammer drop at u20ac35,280.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

A.C. console (2005) by Martin Szekely sold for u20ac52,920, far exceeding its u20ac10,000-u20ac15,000 pre-sale estimate.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

This Martin Szekely D.K. chest of drawers (2002) went for u20ac11,340

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

While Szekely’s 2007 Mirror Soleil Noir set a new auction record for the designer when it sold for u20ac375,500, this limited-edition Blanche table by the designer also achieved a staggering sum, selling for u20ac214,200, ten times its u20ac20,000-u20ac30,000 its early estimates.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Marc Newson designs also featured heavily in the Lagerfeld sales, including this 1998 Zu00e9nith armchair from the designer’s apartment at 8 rue des Saints Pu00e8res, that doubled the low-end of its pre-sale estimate, selling for u20ac81,900.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Circa 2008 Carbon ladder by Marc Newson that realized u20ac44,100 in Sotheby’s December 14 Paris auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Two polished stainless steel champagne buckets by Martin Margiela from the estate of Karl Lagerfeld, which sold for u20ac10,080 at auction at Sotheby’s Paris.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

A playful collection of Flamen-Fleury, Paris tableware, that went for u20ac3,780 in Sotheby’s December 14 Paris auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

A sculptural composition of the designer’s famed shirt collars far surpassed it’s u20ac400-u20ac600 estimate to bring u20ac13,860 in Sotheby’s December 14 Paris auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

One of the December 14 Paris auctionu2019s most outstanding lots, this 2010 Chanel black embossed lambskin tote with silver hardware sold for a blockbuster u20ac94,500 against a pre-sale estimate of u20ac2,000-u20ac4,000, setting a new auction record.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

Black and grey Yves Saint Laurent jacket, perforated brown lambskin Chanel gloves, and Karl Lagerfeld sunglasses from the designer’s estate sold for u20ac4,410 in Sotheby’s December 14 Paris auction.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

The online auction of Karl Lagerfeld’s estate featured myriad portraits of the artist and other memorabilia with his depiction. This print of the designer went for u20ac4,788 against a pre-sale estimate of u20ac200-u20ac300.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys

A burgundy velvet tuxedo jacket by Saint Laurent once belonging to Karl Lagerfeld sold in the online auction for u20ac6,048.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sothebys
Marble statue of two women holding a central torch, standing on a fluted black pedestal, wearing draped garments.
Bust sculpture of a woman's head on a marble base, placed on a pedestal beside a modern mirror in an art gallery setting.
Abstract artwork of a silhouetted figure standing in a geometric corridor with bold black, yellow, and red colors.
Modern round metallic table with a central opening and cylindrical base on a white background.
Five cylindrical metallic sculptures arranged in a circle on a white background.
Modern stainless steel console table with sleek rectangular top and cylindrical legs on white background
Modern silver and black industrial-style chest with metallic finish and minimalist design.
White modern table with rectangular top and four cylindrical legs
Modern chair with a shiny, metallic finish and a futuristic, sculptural design featuring curved and angular elements.
Modern black ladder with wide, rounded steps standing on a white background.
Two metal square buckets with handles, featuring a sleek design and placed on a white background.
Porcelain tea set with seashell designs, including a teapot, creamer, and cups with saucers, featuring red and gold accents.
Unique lamp with glass dome and spiral paper-like design on a stand with exposed wire.
Black crocodile-patterned leather handbag with front pocket and double handles, featuring gold and red tags.
Snake print blazer with buttons, sunglasses in pocket, and fingerless gloves, arranged stylishly on a white background.
Faceless figure with headphones and suit on gray background, minimalist illustration.
Red velvet blazer with pink lapels and silver gloves placed beneath the jacket.
Marble statue of two women holding a central torch, standing on a fluted black pedestal, wearing draped garments.
Bust sculpture of a woman's head on a marble base, placed on a pedestal beside a modern mirror in an art gallery setting.
Abstract artwork of a silhouetted figure standing in a geometric corridor with bold black, yellow, and red colors.
Modern round metallic table with a central opening and cylindrical base on a white background.
Five cylindrical metallic sculptures arranged in a circle on a white background.
Modern stainless steel console table with sleek rectangular top and cylindrical legs on white background
Modern silver and black industrial-style chest with metallic finish and minimalist design.
White modern table with rectangular top and four cylindrical legs
Modern chair with a shiny, metallic finish and a futuristic, sculptural design featuring curved and angular elements.
Modern black ladder with wide, rounded steps standing on a white background.
Two metal square buckets with handles, featuring a sleek design and placed on a white background.
Porcelain tea set with seashell designs, including a teapot, creamer, and cups with saucers, featuring red and gold accents.
Unique lamp with glass dome and spiral paper-like design on a stand with exposed wire.
Black crocodile-patterned leather handbag with front pocket and double handles, featuring gold and red tags.
Snake print blazer with buttons, sunglasses in pocket, and fingerless gloves, arranged stylishly on a white background.
Faceless figure with headphones and suit on gray background, minimalist illustration.
Red velvet blazer with pink lapels and silver gloves placed beneath the jacket.