The $28,000,000 chair

Today was the 2nd day of the Yves Saint Laurent auction at Christie’s and an Eileen Gray chair went for an eyeball-popping $28 million. Believed to have been produced in 1918ish, the ‘Dragons Armchair’ is upholstered in brown leather with a frame of sculpted wood lacquered in orange and silver and embellished with intertwined dragons and stylized clouds. Read more here and see more auction items here. 

{ Photo from The Huffington Post }

Update on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 by susieq

Erin at Design-Crisis did a fabulous post on Yves Saint Laurent’s apartment. Here’s a photo of the Eileen Gray chair in situ.  { Nope, still doesn't appeal. }  Read Erin’s entire post here and see more pictures.  Thanks Erin!

Comments

[Nancy]

Gracious, the era of conspicuous consumption lives! I liken this to the Emperor's New Clothes. Enlighten me, Susieq--what am I missing?!?

[susieq]

Yes, Nancy! It was anticipated to bring in around $3,000,000 -- but brought in almost 10 times that amount. I think it's so special because Eileen Gray is really known for a more modern aethetic with chrome and geometric shapes. This piece is so unusual and so atypical for her work. But, hey, $28 million???

[erin@designcrisis]

I posted YSL's house a while back and that chair was in one of the pictures... I don't know. It's kind of ugly.

Or is it just me?

[Nola]

I've visited this chair more then a few times since
you posted it, susieq. I don't see it, I really, really
don't.

[susieq]

Erin, thanks for reminding us of your post on Saint Laurent's apartment. I've done a follow-up with links to Design-Crisis so readers can see the many rooms.