AuctionsFeb 13, 2023
Diamond Rings and Signed Bangles Star in Bonhams Auction 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.
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).
An unsigned crystal Chanel brooch went for $10,080, as did three gilt metal YSL flower brooches.
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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets RecordThe emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsFrom Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out NowThe 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
GradingNov 12, 2024
GIA’s Next-Day Services Return for the HolidaysOffered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.
