Auctions

At Auction, Talley’s Chanel Jewelry Is Tops

AuctionsFeb 21, 2023

At Auction, Talley’s Chanel Jewelry Is Tops

Christie’s concluded the auctions of the late fashion editor’s estate last week, with the sales totaling more than $3.5 million.

A buyer paid more than $11,000 for this pair of Chanel cuffs featuring Gripoix glass, imitation pearls, and rhinestones that belonged to André Leon Talley. Christie’s wrapped up a hybrid auction of items from the late fashion editor’s estate last week.
New York—The auctions of items from the estate of the late André Leon Talley brought in more than $3.5 million, with Christie’s finding buyers for all the lots offered in the hybrid online/in-person sale. 
 
Talley was a trailblazing fashion journalist who served as the first and only Black creative director at Vogue and was known for his unmissable personal style—flowing caftans with bold prints, oversized coats, cloaks, and capes, and numerous sets of matching monogrammed luggage.
 
He died in 2022 at 73 due to complications from a heart attack and COVID-19. 
 
The auction of his estate wrapped up last week, with all proceeds benefiting two Black churches Christie’s described as “central institutions” in Talley’s life—Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist in Durham, North Carolina, and Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.

The auction house said the live sale of “The Collection of André Leon Talley” garnered $1.4 million and was 100 percent sold by lot, led by two paintings longtime Talley friend Andy Warhol made for the editor and a set of monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage. All three lots sold for $94,500 each.  

Online, the Talley sale tallied $2.2 million and also was 100 percent sold by lot, led by a Bradley Theodore portrait of legendary fashion editor and Talley mentor Diana Vreeland. It sold for $40,320. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
For the most part, the jewelry and watches included in the sale of Talley’s estate were an extension of his overtly bold oeuvre. Think: a lot of chunky amethyst geodes set into jewelry; big, bold cuffs; and watches with a lot of bling on their dials. 
 
However, the piece that garnered the highest bid among the auctions’ jewelry and watch lots—spanning both costume and fine—was simple, demure, and classic. 
 
A buyer paid $25,200 for a pair of Chanel onyx and diamond cufflinks, enough to make it one of the top 10 lots of the online portion of the sale. 
 
In person, a buyer paid $15,120—nearly double the highest pre-sale estimate, $8,000—for an unsigned Chanel amethyst geode cross pendant set in gold gilt on a gold gilt chain. 

Another forked over $11,340 against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 for a pair of costume jewelry Chanel cuffs featuring Gripoix glass, imitation pearls, and rhinestones (pictured at top of article). 
 

 
While Talley’s Chanel costume pieces attracted the auction’s top jewelry bids, his fine jewelry held its own, including the aquamarine cross pendant pictured above. 
 
Sold online, the pendant features four pear-shaped aquamarines with an approximate total carat weight of 25.50-27.50 carats, rectangular and baguette-cut sapphires, and 1-1.25 carats of single-cut diamonds, all set in platinum.
 
A buyer paid $8,190 for the piece, topping pre-sale expectations of $3,000 to $5,000. 
 
To see full results from the live auction of The Collection of André Leon Talley, visit the Christie’s website.
 
Results from the online-only portion of the sale can be seen here. 

The Latest

MajorsMar 29, 2023
Blue Nile to Close Fulfillment Center, Lay Off Workers

The retailer, recently acquired by Signet Jewelers, will lay off 119 employees in July.

WatchesMar 29, 2023
See All the New Patek Philippe Watches for 2023

The Swiss watchmaker introduced 17 new models at Watches & Wonders Geneva.

MajorsMar 29, 2023
Mark Henry Jewelry Offering Complimentary ‘Masterclass’ on Sales from Peter Smith

As part of the promotion, Smith will share his sales expertise during a 90-minute training session.

Brought to you by
Full Disclosure at Your Fingertips

Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.

EditorsMar 28, 2023
I’m Enchanted With Parmigiani Fleurier’s Perfect Travel Watch

At Watches & Wonders, the Swiss brand unveiled a follow-up to last year’s Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante.

Weekly QuizMar 23, 2023
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Take the Quiz
CollectionsMar 28, 2023
Helzberg’s New Lab-Grown Diamond Collection Earns SCS Certification

The “rêve” collection’s engagement rings and wedding bands are geared toward “sustainability minded customers.”

EditorsMar 28, 2023
This New Rolex Day-Date Tells Time … and Affirmations

A new word appears on the dial each day of the week.

Brought to you by
Bringing Over 130 Years of Diamond Expertise to Modern Grading

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

IndependentsMar 28, 2023
D.C. Jeweler That Honored 50-Year-Old Gift Certificate Closes

Bensons Jewelers closed for good Feb. 24, impacted in part by the decline in foot traffic downtown since the onset of the pandemic.

MajorsMar 28, 2023
Swarovski Names New GM of North America

Kolja Kiofsky has been with the crystal and jewelry company since 2010.

MajorsMar 27, 2023
Pandora Promotes GM to Chief of Retail Operations

Massimo Basei is moving up, while Chief Commercial Officer Martino Pessina is stepping down.

Events & AwardsMar 27, 2023
Registration Is Open for the HardRock Summit

AGTA GemFair and the Denver Gem & Mineral Show also will have a presence on the show floor.

AuctionsMar 24, 2023
Piece of the Week: The $5.8M Patek Philippe ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’

Sold by Christie’s Hong Kong, this masterwork of complications now holds the record for most expensive watch ever auctioned online.

FinancialsMar 24, 2023
Movado Predicts Declining Sales Amid ‘Volatile’ Retail Environment

The watch company expects first-quarter sales to fall as much as 15 percent due to inflation and tough comps.

Lab-GrownMar 24, 2023
Lightbox Promotes General Manager to COO

Adam O’Grady, general manager of the Lightbox Lab, has taken on the new role and will report directly to Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde.

WatchesMar 23, 2023
Which Brands Do Watch Enthusiasts Love Most? Chrono24 Takes a Look

The watch marketplace gathered data from 1.3 million collectors, highlighting the most popular timepieces and exploring value appreciation.

SourcingMar 23, 2023
Burgundy Diamond Backing Out of Ellendale Mine Deal

Burgundy has opted not to exercise its option to buy the mining claims Gibb River Diamonds currently owns.

GradingMar 23, 2023
GCAL Introduces 8X Cut Grade for Proprietary Cuts

Patented and specialty cuts now can receive an 8X Proprietary Certificate, which can be customized to include a company’s brand and logo.

Events & AwardsMar 23, 2023
Diamonds Do Good Names 2023 Award Recipients

The organization said it will recognize those who exemplify the idea that doing good is good business.

CollectionsMar 22, 2023
Messika’s 2023 Campaign Pairs New Jewelry With Vintage Cars

Kendall Jenner once again is fronting the French brand’s campaign, joined by model and dancer Alton Mason.

Events & AwardsMar 22, 2023
Hari Krishna Exports Hosts Gala Amid UN Water Conference

The CEOs of Signet, Helzberg, and GIA spoke on a water conservation panel, and had lakes named in their companies’ honor.

Policies & IssuesMar 22, 2023
See Kwiat’s Bracelet for World Water Day

Sales of the sleek sterling silver and diamond design will go to nonprofit organization charity: water.

AuctionsMar 21, 2023
Marlene Dietrich’s Van Cleef & Arpels Bracelet Going Up for Auction

Expected to earn up to $4.5 million, the “Jarretière” bracelet is the star of Christie’s “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower” sale.

ColumnistsMar 21, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: Customer Retention Mindset—The New CRM

With jewelry sales coming down from their pandemic highs, retailers need to do all they can to retain existing customers, Peter Smith says.

Events & AwardsMar 21, 2023
ASJRA’s May Conference Examines ‘Iconic’ Jewelry Companies

Jewelry historians, authors, and experts will explore the works of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman, Verdura, and more.

IndependentsMar 21, 2023
Borsheims Executive Jennifer Johnson Retires

Johnson joined the retailer in 1987, establishing its first human resources department.

Recorded WebinarsMar 20, 2023
Watch: Lab Grown Diamonds: What's Now? What's New? What's Next?

Supplier Spotlight Presented by IGI

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy