The Celebrity Collector
Oftentimes auctionhouses will be lucky enough to take on entire collections, and sometimes they are even luckier to take on entire collections with an energy unlike any other- that of the celebrity collector. But in this added layer of intrigue comes a financial payoff, as people are often willing to spend more on a work that has the added provenance of being owned by a famous figure. After all, if you’re interested in owning a Basquiat painting, it’s likely you’ll want a Basquiat painting from David Bowie’s personal collection that much more.
Provenance is by definition a history of ownership of an object, and in some cases the ultimate push for an object’s unique presence on the market. There is no way to determine what the outcome of a sale might look like with vs. without a popularized name attached, but auction houses know that attaching a name to a collection or upcoming sale will typically increase bids. German philosopher Walter Benjamin once suggested an original, authentic artwork possesses a kind of ‘aura’ that reproductions do not, so who is to say this couldn’t extend to an artwork’s captivating celebrity owners?
Benjamin’s idea of aura refers to an object’s “unique existence at the place where it happens to be,” like a stamp in time and space. Essentially, he believed its unique cultural context is lost in reproduction, a theory that has seemingly held up over time. But we aren’t worried so much about the reproducibility of celebrity collections, rather the seemingly intangible element of interest that often accompanies their famous owners. In a society that creates celebrities and the constructed pedestals we put them on, it only makes sense that their possessions fall under the umbrella of importance we feel comes with fame. And auction houses selling memorabilia is not a new market. From Michael Caine to Donna Summer, celebrity figures have auctioned off the mundane leather jacket, work desk, and cheese slicer, turning everyday objects into collectable conversation pieces that well outsell the average item.
Take a look at some recent celebrity collections that have gone to auction, showcasing a wide range of artifacts endowed with the same ‘aura’:
Alain Delon- Bonham’s, 2023
Alain Delon’s recent sale with Bonham’s made 8.8 million dollars this year, more than doubling the low estimate that had been set. Delon insisted his legacy consists of his acting career and art collection, which explains the push to avoid a posthumous sale. Works by Eugene Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Jean-Francois Millet, Albrecht Durer and more gave insight into the over 60 years he has spent acquiring art since he was 24.
David Bowie - Sotheby’s, 2016
The British rockstar’s collection of art had to be divided into 3 sales, the largest grossing over 24 million GBP. Highlights included a sphincter painting from Damien Hirst, a sculptural sofa from Peter Shire, Jean-Michel Basquiat originals, and more. One could argue that Bowie’s personal connection to Basquiat is what pushed the estimate for Air Power from 2.5-3.5 million to a hammer price of 7,093,000 GBP.
Siegfried and Roy- Bonham’s, 2022
A rather diverse and unexpected collection with 481 items, this sale brought in over 1.4 million USD for the pair’s personal charity. The sale boasted objects like original Salvador Dali elephant sculptures, stunning Cartier jewelry, an incredible collection of rare and precious gemstones, works by March Chagall, and more. With plenty of tiger and lion iconography in store, items like S. Moreki carved lions beat their estimate of $200-300 by selling for $4,080, and a patinated bronze lion estimated to bring in $300-500 sold for $7,650.
Lauren Bacall- Bonham’s, 2015
Legendary Hollywood starlet Lauren Bacall’s collection of belongings from her Manhattan apartment sold for $3.6 million with Bonham’s New York in 2015. Her collection included a hand-colored engraving by John James Audubon, paintings by Albert York, and sculptures by British artist Henry Moore, all of which surpassed their estimates. Bacall’s collection included various pieces from American sculptor Robert Graham, with similar works selling for much less without the presence of her name. Bonham’s sold a handful of MOCA Torso sculptures of the same edition the year prior, ranging from $3,375-4,375, but in her sale the work went for $10,625.
