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Warhol portrait of Coco Chanel no. 1 at Stevens auction: $247,000

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Original oil on canvas of Coco Chanel by Andy Warhol, which sold for $247,000. Stevens Auction Co. image
Original oil on canvas of Coco Chanel by Andy Warhol, which sold for $247,000. Stevens Auction Co. image

ABERDEEN, Miss. – An original oil on canvas portrait of French fashion designer Coco Chanel done by Andy Warhol sold for $247,000 at a sale conducted by Stevens Auction Co. on Aug. 8. LiveAuctioneers.com provided absentee and Internet live bidding.

The Warhol, the top lot of the auction, was among the contents of one of Mississippi’s most regal antebellum homes, Lauri Mundi. The auction was held on the grounds of the 1847 mansion.

The stylized portrait painting (above) – a synthetic polymer and silkscreen ink on canvas, executed in Warhol’s inimitable style – had been acquired by the seller’s grandmother, an art collector, from a Canadian art gallery in 1985. The piece measured 15 inches by 17 1/2 inches (sight) and had the original stamp from artist to gallery on the reverse.

All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.

Original to Lauri Mundi and dating to before the time of the Civil War was a massive mahogany Empire bookcase with eight doors, 9 feet tall by 10 feet wide, which sold for $10,350.

Mahogany Empire bookcase with eight doors, original to Lauri Mundi, 9 feet tall by 10 feet wide. Price realized: $10,350. Stevens Auction Co. image
Mahogany Empire bookcase with eight doors, original to Lauri Mundi, 9 feet tall by 10 feet wide. Price realized: $10,350. Stevens Auction Co. image

A rare and historically significant rosewood étagère with dragon carving and provenance – an original furnishing from the home of former President James Knox Polk in Tennessee – standing 91 inches tall, soared to $26,450.

Rare rosewood étagère with dragon carving, an original furnishing from the James K. Polk home in Tennessee. Price realized: $26,450. Stevens Auction Co. image
Rare rosewood étagère with dragon carving, an original furnishing from the James K. Polk home in Tennessee. Price realized: $26,450. Stevens Auction Co. image

Also, a four-piece rosewood rococo parlor suite by renowned 19th century American furniture maker J. & J.W. Meeks, in the Stanton Hall pattern, hit $11,500.

Gorgeous beds were quickly snapped up by eager bidders. These included a circa 1850 rosewood half tester plantation bed (below), all original and attributed to C. Lee ($17,825); a 7-foot-tall mahogany Empire plantation bed, queen size and original to Lauri Mundi ($4,485); and a mahogany Empire full tester plantation bed with heavily carved headboard, standing 9 feet 8 inches tall ($10,350).

Rosewood half tester plantation bed with fine detail and carving, all original, attributed to C. Lee, circa 1850. Price realized: $17,825. Stevens Auction Co. image
Rosewood half tester plantation bed with fine detail and carving, all original, attributed to C. Lee, circa 1850. Price realized: $17,825. Stevens Auction Co. image

The lighting category featured a magnificent Baccarat crystal cut glass 16-arm chandelier (below), 42 inches long by 32 inches wide, which brought $12,650, and a cut glass lamp with cut shade, unusually tall at 31 inches, which achieved $17,250.

Large 19th century cut glass 16-arm chandelier of Baccarat crystal. Price realized: $12,650. Stevens Auction Co. image
Large 19th century cut glass 16-arm chandelier of Baccarat crystal. Price realized: $12,650. Stevens Auction Co. image

A matched pair of gilt rococo mirrors with outstanding carving on the crown and sides, made circa 1860 and standing 7 feet 7 inches tall, sold for $16,100.

Matched pair gold gilt rococo mirrors, magnificent carving on crown and sides, 7 feet 7 inches tall, circa 1860. Price realized: $16,100. Stevens Auction Co. image
Matched pair gold gilt rococo mirrors, magnificent carving on crown and sides, 7 feet 7 inches tall, circa 1860. Price realized: $16,100. Stevens Auction Co. image

Also sold that day for $9,200 was a matched pair of cast-iron garden benches, each decorated with the crest of a woman.

For details call Stevens Auction Co. at 662-369-2200 or email stevensauction@bellsouth.net.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.