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The Final Auction of Karl Lagerfeld’s Estate Set to Take Place at Sotheby’s in Germany

The late fashion icon’s extensive holdings include artworks by Takashi Murakami, furnishings by Marc Newson, and a vast array of other collectibles

By Jill Sieracki
Art deco vanity with green dresser, ornate mirror, period lamps, and vintage posters on wall in a stylish interior setting.
Karl Lagerfeld’s apartment in Louveciennes, featuring a Bruno Paul dressing table, Gerhard Schliepstein floor lamp, and vintage German advertising now coming to auction at Sotheby’s. Photo: COURTESY OF SOTHEBY'S

While Karl Lagerfeld was decidedly minimalist in his dress, always seen in black-and-white suiting and signature sunglasses, his possessions were decidedly maximalist. Filling his beautiful residences in Monaco’s Millefiori tower, Louveciennes, and Paris were furnishings by top talents such as Marc Newson, Martin Szekely, Christian Liaigre, and Konstantin Grcic; artworks by Takashi Murakami and Joana Vasconcelos; Goyard luggage; and a vast array of collectibles depicting Lagerfeld and his beloved blue-cream tortie Birman cat, Choupette.

Last winter, Sotheby’s mounted the first in a series of live and online auctions to disperse the late Chanel designer’s extensive holdings. Sales in Paris and Monaco have already achieved more than €18.2 million, with many of Lagerfeld’s meticulously curated belongings realizing staggering sums that far exceeded their pre-sale estimates.

Room with colorful framed vintage posters on walls by a doorway, leading to a stylish bedroom with a neatly made bed.
Karl Lagerfeld’s apartment in Louveciennes, featuring a Bruno Paul bed and vintage German advertising now coming to auction at Sotheby’s. Photo: COURTESY OF SOTHEBY'S
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

Now, the final sale of Karl Lagerfeld’s estate is set to take place in Cologne, in a two-part live auction taking place on May 4 and 5, and an online event, opening April 29 and running through May 6. These last groupings encompass more than 480 lots, many of which pay homage to the designer’s German heritage and were largely sourced from the designer’s Louveciennes home in Île-de-France. Collectors will find everything from a vast selection of vintage German advertisements to furniture by Christian Liaigre and Bruno Paul, illustrations by Lagerfeld himself, and clothing from the designer’s high-fashion holdings.

Historic building with tall columns, ornate entrance, and surrounding greenery on a clear day.
Sotheby’s new Palais Oppenheim headquarters. Photo: Joshua Sammer/Sotheby's for Getty Images

Notably, the live event features more than 200 lots and will be the first in-person sale to be held in Sotheby’s new German flagship at Cologne’s Palais Oppenheim. The reimagined palace, which opened last September, marks the storied auction house’s sixth location and boasts a breathtaking setting overlooking the Rhine River.

Below, a look at some of the unique pieces coming up for auction at Sotheby’s. 

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Final Sale of Karl Lagerfeld’s Estate Taking Place at Sotheby’s in Cologne

Circa 1920 Bruno Paul dressing table from Sotheby’s upcoming auction of the estate of Karl Lagerfeld.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Emil Pirchan, Sonnwendfeier, carries a presale estimate of 800-1,200 EUR.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Fashion illustration by Karl Lagerfeld that’s included in the upcoming auction of his estate at Sotheby’s in Cologne.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Circa 1905 Max Laeuger vase.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

A pair of monogram John Lobb velvet loafers that’s included in the upcoming auction of Lagerfeld’s estate at Sotheby’s in Cologne.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Sotheby’s third and final auction of the estate of Karl Lagerfeld includes a number of fashion drawings by the designers, as well as his notebooks and illustrations for a 1992 portfolio of The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

This circa 1960 Hans Wegner chair carries a presale estimate of 4,000-6,000 EUR.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Sotheby’s third and final auction of the estate of Karl Lagerfeld features furniture, vintage German advertising, and other memorabilia affiliated with the designer’s extensive career.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Dior Homme vanity case from the estate of Karl Lagerfeld, coming to auction at Sotheby’s in Cologne.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

This circa 1925 Gerhard Schliepstein floor lamp was displayed at Lagerfeld’s apartment at Louveciennes.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

Ludwig Hohlwein, Damenconfectionshaus, Mayer Sundheimer, carries a presale estimate of 3,000 – 5,000 EUR

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's

A figurine of Karl Lagerfeld and Coupette that’s included in the upcoming auction of the designer’s estate at Sotheby’s in Cologne.

Photograph by Courtesy of Sotheby's
Green vintage vanity table with ornate mirror and curved legs, featuring four drawers for storage.
Vintage poster with colorful illustration of two people walking in a park, German text about a festival and fairytale event.
Fashion sketch of a dress with geometric design, featuring red, blue, and black panels, and additional sketches in the background.
Cream-colored ceramic vase with gold geometric pattern and black accents on a white background.
Black velvet loafers with embroidered initials and wooden shoe trees inserted.
Open art book displaying colorful paintings by André Derain and another artist with handwritten notes below.
Modern white armchair with curved backrest and metal legs on a white background.
Decorative fan with handwritten notes and photos on its panels, featuring colorful messages and images.
Luxury portable makeup station with mirror, multiple drawers, and lights, suited for professional beauty artists.
Tall ornate floor lamp with frilly white shade and sculpted base featuring detailed figures, set against a plain white background.
Art Nouveau poster featuring a pink rose bouquet in a vase, with German text advertising confection and fashion.
Cartoon figures of a man in a suit and sunglasses and a white cat on a black platform labeled "Choupette & Little Karl".
Green vintage vanity table with ornate mirror and curved legs, featuring four drawers for storage.
Vintage poster with colorful illustration of two people walking in a park, German text about a festival and fairytale event.
Fashion sketch of a dress with geometric design, featuring red, blue, and black panels, and additional sketches in the background.
Cream-colored ceramic vase with gold geometric pattern and black accents on a white background.
Black velvet loafers with embroidered initials and wooden shoe trees inserted.
Open art book displaying colorful paintings by André Derain and another artist with handwritten notes below.
Modern white armchair with curved backrest and metal legs on a white background.
Decorative fan with handwritten notes and photos on its panels, featuring colorful messages and images.
Luxury portable makeup station with mirror, multiple drawers, and lights, suited for professional beauty artists.
Tall ornate floor lamp with frilly white shade and sculpted base featuring detailed figures, set against a plain white background.
Art Nouveau poster featuring a pink rose bouquet in a vase, with German text advertising confection and fashion.
Cartoon figures of a man in a suit and sunglasses and a white cat on a black platform labeled "Choupette & Little Karl".