Hollywood history up for auction in Lauren Bacall’s intimate art collection

By Naomi Ng, for CNN
3 minute read
Updated 6:16 AM EDT, Fri April 3, 2015
Lauren Bacall was known for her style and sensuality on screen and on stage, but she was also an avid art collector.
Lauren Bacall was known for her style and sensuality on screen and on stage, but she was also an avid art collector.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Bacall's final residence in New York, pictured here, shows that she had an eclectic taste.
Bacall's final residence in New York, pictured here, shows that she had an eclectic taste.
Courtesy Bonhams
Bonhams auction house is in charge of selling 750 items from her estate.
Bonhams auction house is in charge of selling 750 items from her estate.
Courtesy Bonhams
These three bronze statues, made by American sculptor Robert Graham, were the first things you would see entering Lauren Bacall's apartment, said King. Bacall nicknamed them her "girls."
These three bronze statues, made by American sculptor Robert Graham, were the first things you would see entering Lauren Bacall's apartment, said King. Bacall nicknamed them her "girls."
Courtesy Bonhams
"She just wanted (her house) to be very warm and inviting," said King. A print by British painter David Hockney hung center in Bacall's living room. It is estimated to be worth $9,000.
"She just wanted (her house) to be very warm and inviting," said King. A print by British painter David Hockney hung center in Bacall's living room. It is estimated to be worth $9,000.
Courtesy Bonhams
Highlights of the collection include six bronze maquettes by one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, British sculptor Henry Moore. Estimated at $60,000, it is one of the most expensive items in the collection.
Highlights of the collection include six bronze maquettes by one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, British sculptor Henry Moore. Estimated at $60,000, it is one of the most expensive items in the collection.
Courtesy Bonhams
This bronze figure of Humphrey Bogart portrayed as the character Sam Spade in the film "The Maltese Falcon" has piqued the interest of collectors and fans alike.
This bronze figure of Humphrey Bogart portrayed as the character Sam Spade in the film "The Maltese Falcon" has piqued the interest of collectors and fans alike.
Courtesy Bonhams
A painting of a white pelican, Bacall's favorite bird, is estimated to fetch $60,000.
A painting of a white pelican, Bacall's favorite bird, is estimated to fetch $60,000.
Courtesy Bonhams
The collection also features a number of tribal pieces. This piece in particular was previously auctioned at Sotheby's in New York in 1984.
The collection also features a number of tribal pieces. This piece in particular was previously auctioned at Sotheby's in New York in 1984.
Courtesy Bonhams
The "Walking woman," estimated to fetch $20,000, was created by British sculptor Lynn Chadwick. Once tipped as the successor to Henry Moore, he took the art world by storm in the 1950s with his geometric flair.
The "Walking woman," estimated to fetch $20,000, was created by British sculptor Lynn Chadwick. Once tipped as the successor to Henry Moore, he took the art world by storm in the 1950s with his geometric flair.
Courtesy Bonhams
Lauren Bacall wore these 18-karat gold ear clips when she accepted a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1996 film "The Mirror Has Two Faces".
Lauren Bacall wore these 18-karat gold ear clips when she accepted a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1996 film "The Mirror Has Two Faces".
Courtesy Bonhams
This 18-karat yellow gold, enamel and turquoise necklace was originally sold by Beverly Hills jeweler Marvin Hime, and is expected to fetch around $7,000.
This 18-karat yellow gold, enamel and turquoise necklace was originally sold by Beverly Hills jeweler Marvin Hime, and is expected to fetch around $7,000.
Courtesy Bonhams
Lauren Bacall's collection highlights

Story highlights

A collection of 750 items belonging to legendary actress Lauren Bacall has been auctioned off at Bonhams in New York

Highlights from the lot, which fetched $3.6 million, include bronze sculptures, jewelry, and a number of decorative arts and paintings

Hong Kong CNN  — 

An impressive art collection assembled by the late actress and Hollywood icon, Lauren Bacall, has officially been offered for purchase.

The collection, which includes works by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century, went under the hammer in New York on March 31, following a tour of Hong Kong, Paris, London and Los Angeles.

Bacall, who died in August 2014 at the age of 89, first shot to international fame in 1944 with her first film, “To Have And Have Not.”

That was also when the husky-voiced starlet met her future husband, Humphrey Bogart.

At the recent 2015 Golden Globes, George Clooney paid tribute to the silver screen queen in his award winning speech.

Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall
Copyright Warner Bros.
gallery

Related gallery Iconic actress Lauren Bacall

“I don’t remember what awards Lauren Bacall won, I just remember her saying: ‘You know how to whistle, don’t you Steve. You just put your lips together and blow.’” said Clooney, referring to one of her most legendary lines from her first movie.

The 750-piece collection, which fetched a total of $3.64 million, featured bronze sculptures, jewelry, and a number of decorative arts and paintings, which were sold at Bonhams auction house in New York.

“Her collection is truly a reflection of her extraordinary taste and remarkable life,” said Jon King, Bonhams’ vice president.

‘Eclectic taste’

One of the bronze maquettes by British sculptor, Henry Moore.
One of the bronze maquettes by British sculptor, Henry Moore.
Courtesy Bonhams

Among the 50 items highlighted in the auction preview were six bronze maquettes by Henry Moore, Britain’s greatest 20th century sculptor and one of Bacall’s favorite artists, whom she developed a close relationship with. One of them sold for close to $120,000.

An amethyst, turquoise and diamond ring by French designer Jean Schlumberger
An amethyst, turquoise and diamond ring by French designer Jean Schlumberger
Courtesy Bonhams

Also for sale were some of Bacall’s most loved jewelry pieces, created by legendary French designer Jean Schlumberger, most known for his work at Tiffany & Co.

A rose diamond camel brooch by British jeweler Elizabeth Gage fetched $23,750 and was accompanied by the original drawing and correspondence from the designer, which shows the close-knit relationship Bacall had with Gage.

The wide-ranging collection was expected to appeal to a variety of collectors: fine arts and antiques dealers, fans of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, as well as memorabilia enthusiasts.

Most of the items auctioned come from the apartment in New York’s Dakota Building that she shared with her second husband, actor Jason Robards, until 1969. But King said fans of Humphrey Bogart would have been pleased to know some of the items were also from their shared residence in Los Angeles.

King, who got to know Bacall in her late years, said the collection reflects the actress’ eclectic taste, and there was only one principle she applied to collecting:

“Everything had to kind of speak to her, to catch her eye. She loved form, she loved texture, she loved color. And she loved mixing it all up. She said that when you walked into her house, what she liked was that it was never boring,” King said.

“You could walk into the same room a hundred times, and see something new every time.”