D’Elsa Schiaparelli Collection sold at Christie’s, Paris
The personal collection of D’Elsa Schiaparelli, entrusted to Christie’s by her granddaughter Marisa Berenson, was sold at their Paris saleroom on 23 January 2014, achieving a total of €1,683,750. In addition to couture, her collection included an array of 19th and 20th century traditional Oriental costume, among them several Chinese informal silk jackets a ceremonial vest and some Ottoman robes.
Schiaparelli Gilet, 1940, Paris, lot 12. Decoration in white pearls and beadwork. Estimate: € 10000-12000. Realised price: € 27,400
The Italian fashion designer (1890–1973) was a leading figure of Parisian society and the art world in the 1930s, a collaborator with Surrealist artists including Salvador Dalí and a rival of Coco Chanel.
Much of Schiaparelli’s own couture collection reached above the estimates; a gilet decorated with prancing horses and white pearls was inspired by her 1940 visit to the United States and exceeded the €10,000 -12,000 estimate, selling at €27,400. A mink waistcoat of her own design sold at 7,500 (estimate €2,000 -3,000), while a violet silk blouse from the Astrologie collection sold at €31,000.
Lady’s Informal Jacket, 20th century, China, silk damask, lot 65. Estimate: € 800-1200. Realised price: € 625
Lady’s Informal Jacket, 20th century, China, silk damask, lot 64. Estimate: € 1,000-2,000. Realised price: € 875
Lady’s Ceremonial Jacket (Xiape), 20th century, China, lot 62. The crane design is symbolic of the highest rank in Imperial China. Estimate: € 1500-2000.
Realised price: € 1,875
Many of her oriental costumes from sold within their estimates, the exception being a 20th century Chinese lady’s coat of jade silk damask which reached double the estimate, selling at €4,000.
Lady’s Coat, 20th century, China, silk damask, lot 68. Estimate: € 1,000-2,000. Realised price: € 4,000
Ottoman Robe, mid 19th century, velvet with embroidered border and lace trim and satin lining, lot 98. Estimate: € 1,000-2,000. Realised price: € 2,000
Ottoman Robe, late 19th century, velvet with gold embroidery, lot 103. Estimate: € 1,000-2,000. Realised price: € 1,000
All photos © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LIMITED 2014
