The famed and extensive art collection of Lauren Bacall, who died last August, will go on view at Bonhams’ Madison Avenure galleries March 25 to 30, before being auctioned on March 31 and April 1.
Lauren Bacall
The range of the collection encompasses the breadth of the actress’ tastes, and includes jewelry, faience, majolica, provincial furniture, tribal works of art, prints and paintings. These objects once resided in Bacall’s Los Angeles home with first husband Humphrey Bogart, in her country home in Amagansett, NY, or in the Dakota apartment shared with second husband Jason Robards.
Louis XV style painted wood and gesso mirror, circa 1900, left. Italian Rococo carved and painted console table, possibly Sicilian, mid-18th century, right.
Bonhams will also host a lecture at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 29 based on the exhibition Lauren Bacall: The Look (March 3 to April 4) at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York (FIT). Bacall donated over 700 pieces of couture over her lifetime to FIT; the exhibition presents selections from Bacall’s personal wardrobe as well as from her screen and stage roles. The lecture, presented by Christina Frank of FIT, will focus on the pieces from the exhibition as well as Bacall’s style and her relationships with several of her favorite fashion designers. To attend the lecture at Bonhams’ Madison Avenue gallery, RSVP by calling +1 917 206 1658 or emailing Bonhams.
Jacobean walnut and oak chest of drawers, late 17th century, left. Victorian decoupage floor screen, mid-19th century, right.
Catalog holders can view the Lauren Bacall Collection at Bonhams March 25 through March 30 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The auction will be held in four sessions: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. Auction admission is through purchase of the catalog as well as sale registration.
Pair of continental leather upholstered fruitwood stools, left. Syrian mother of pearl inlaid coffer, early 20th century, right.
Admission to the Lauren Bacall Collection preview exhibition is through purchase of the auction catalog only, $50 for domestic buyers and $70 for international buyers. A hard-bound collectors edition of the illustrated auction catalog will also be available for $100 plus shipping. Each catalog admits two people. The catalog features over 374 pages, and contains over 740 lots. It also includes quotes by Bacall, footnotes, vintage photographs and views from the Dakota apartment overlooking Central Park. The online catalog can be accessed here.
Modern brass inlaid white marble circular low table on a brass stand, left. Italian clear, turquoise and red leaded glass lamp, mid-20th century. All images courtesy of Bonhams.
