Brooke Astor Auction
by habituallychic
09 . 18 . 12
Brooke Astor was a New York legend and living landmark with alive. She married into one of the country’s richest families and became a champion of many worthy causes and institutions in New York. It is these charities and causes that will benefit from the auction of Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor next week at Sotheby’s. I had the pleasure of touring the exhibition on view through Sunday, September 23, 2012 yesterday and it’s worth a trip uptown. The designer of the exhibit replicated as best he could the placement of furniture and objects as they were in her New York Park Avenue apartment and Holly Hill, her home in Briarcliff Manor, New York. It’s really quite lovely.
There is really something for everyone from practically brand new upholstered chairs and sofas, miles of books, Chinoiserie art and objects, dog paintings, cases of china and silver, and exquisite jewelry. The artwork was what caught my eye and I so wish I could bid on it all especially since it’s all for a good cause. Those of you not in New York can view the entire catalog online and even bid online. Bonne chance!
Viewing: September 17 – 23, 2012
Auction: September 24 and 25, 2012
Times: 10:00am and 2:00pm both days
Sotheby’s
1334 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
The New York Drawing Rom
The Drawing Room as it appears at Sotheby’s.
The early Louis XV carved giltwood mirror circa 1725 is lot #101 and has a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-12,000.
Mrs. Astor in the drawing room with her beloved dachshunds.
The Drawing Room
The Axminster carpet from England is lot # 105 and one of my favorite items up for auction.
These are my favorite chairs in the auction. There are four Louis XV gray painted and carved fauteuils in lot #122 and two separate matching bergere in lots #118 and #119. If anyone can name the fabric, please let me know.
The Dining Room
The stunning George III giltwood pier mirror is lot #156.
This gorgeous Samson porcelain zoological dinner service is lot #205.
The Dining Room
The Sitting Room contains many reverse painted Chinese export mirrors now up for auction.
The Master Bedroom
Holly Hill, Briarcliff Manor, New York
The stairs were lined with dog paintings now up for auction.
Raoul Dufy is one of my favorite fauve artists and his painting Sailboats from 1935 is lot #487.
This gorgeous Chinoiserie screen is lot #443.
The Blue Bedroom houses a pair of Louis XV style gray painted Lits a la Polonaise now part of lot # 789.
The Cardinal’s Room
The yellow painted four-poster tester bed in lot #679 has a pre-sale estimate of only $500-700.
This stack of monogrammed T. Anthony luggage was the hit of Instagram when I posted it Monday. The grouping is lot #819 and has a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500.
Brooke Astor serving tea in Maine.
Photos from the New York apartment and Holly Hill via Sotheby’s
Photos taken at Sotheby’s were taken by me and may not be used without permission.
14 Comments
Grand, presidential, $$$, elegant but always ‘home’.
That is skill.
Adore the tables in front of bookshelves.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Simply amazing.. and her Red lacquered library was quite the inspiration to many top designers!
Great Post!
Karolyn
The Relished Roost
This is extremely beautiful. I like auctions not just because they’re exciting, but I look at them a bit like historical references in culture.
jaw dropping and inspirational
Her style reminds me of Dolce and Gabbana’s Fall collection! Love it!
xo
Sharon
Thanks so MUCH for this post! I will not be able to preview the auction so your photos are very welcome.
Great post! Like a great history lesson of design and decoration, a must see for young designers.
There will never be another Brooke Astor. I’m glad that these beautiful things that she loved will benefit so many. Thanks. Mary
Heather, do you know where the other furniture has gone? You show a photo of Mrs. Astor sitting in her living room with dachshunds but that chair she is seated in is not in the auction.
This is stunning Heather. What an inspiring woman. I wish I could be there to see some of these fabulous pieces in person!
I would love her luggage!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
i’m embarrassed to even THINK about what i wouldn’t give for that china. amazing! thanks for sharing!!
Heather,
Oh what great photo’s…I ESP. loved the last photo. I summered for over 25+ years in NEharbor, Me. I was so thrilled that I was fortunate to know Miss Astor. The last photo truly touch me…Her home in NEH. was simply beautiful. I can only image the T.Anthony luggage being what a lot of people may be talking about…Sad, the way Tony and his wife was to Miss Astor.
We miss HER so much……thankyou for the reminder of pieces of her beautiful and gracious and generous life.
wow – can barely imagine what her stuff would even go for. its all exquisite!