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Collection by Heather Corcoran

David Bowie's Eye For Design

Set for November 11, 2016, the Sotheby's auction Bowie/Collector offers the first-ever glimpse into the late icon's private art collection.

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"The only thing I buy addictively is art," David Bowie once said. Now, after the surprising death of the iconic artist, the public is getting the first-ever look at his vast collection in advance of Bowie/Collector, a three-part sale of some 400 pieces that will take place at Sotheby's in London in November 2016, with an entire day devoted to his collection of the postmodern design of the Memphis Group. In anticipation, the famed auction house is showcasing highlights from the collection with a preview world tour stopping at its locations in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Hong Kong through October 15, 2016.
"The only thing I buy addictively is art," David Bowie once said. Now, after the surprising death of the iconic artist, the public is getting the first-ever look at his vast collection in advance of Bowie/Collector, a three-part sale of some 400 pieces that will take place at Sotheby's in London in November 2016, with an entire day devoted to his collection of the postmodern design of the Memphis Group. In anticipation, the famed auction house is showcasing highlights from the collection with a preview world tour stopping at its locations in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Hong Kong through October 15, 2016.
Foyer, 1973, acrylic on canvas by Patrick Caulfield R.A. British painter and printmaker Patrick Caulfield is known for his Pop Art–inflected interiors marked by flat fields of color and graphic black outlines. Its auction estimate starts at about $525,000.
Foyer, 1973, acrylic on canvas by Patrick Caulfield R.A. British painter and printmaker Patrick Caulfield is known for his Pop Art–inflected interiors marked by flat fields of color and graphic black outlines. Its auction estimate starts at about $525,000.
Ashoka lamp, 1981, lacquered and chromium-plated metal, by Ettore Sottsass David Bowie was an important collector of the Memphis movement, who championed the exuberant work of Ettore Sottsass and co. even as it feel out of fashion. With an estimate beginning at about $1,000, the lamp is one of the more affordable lots in the auction.
Ashoka lamp, 1981, lacquered and chromium-plated metal, by Ettore Sottsass David Bowie was an important collector of the Memphis movement, who championed the exuberant work of Ettore Sottsass and co. even as it feel out of fashion. With an estimate beginning at about $1,000, the lamp is one of the more affordable lots in the auction.
Ivory table, 1985, wood, laminate, by Ettore Sottsass Part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ettore Sottsass's Ivory table is a prime example of the designer turning convention on its head. The name of the piece references a luxury material, when in fact it's made of much cheaper mass-produced materials with showy patterns. The table is expected to fetch at least $1,300 at auction.
Ivory table, 1985, wood, laminate, by Ettore Sottsass Part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ettore Sottsass's Ivory table is a prime example of the designer turning convention on its head. The name of the piece references a luxury material, when in fact it's made of much cheaper mass-produced materials with showy patterns. The table is expected to fetch at least $1,300 at auction.
Casablanca sideboard, 1981, wood, laminate, by Ettore Sottsass This speckled, Formica-clad sideboard, room divider, and wine rack exhibits the type of graphic, almost anthropomorphic silhouettes that are a hallmark of Ettore Sottsass's work. At Sotheby's, estimates for the nearly 8-foot-tall piece start at just over $5,250.
Casablanca sideboard, 1981, wood, laminate, by Ettore Sottsass This speckled, Formica-clad sideboard, room divider, and wine rack exhibits the type of graphic, almost anthropomorphic silhouettes that are a hallmark of Ettore Sottsass's work. At Sotheby's, estimates for the nearly 8-foot-tall piece start at just over $5,250.
Super lamp, 1981, lacquered fiberglass, metal, rubber, by Martine Bedin Martine Bedin designed this playful lamp so it could be pulled along by its cord like a small dog. At the invitation of Ettore Sottsass, she became one of the youngest members of the Memphis Group. A prototype of the Super lamp was included in the first Memphis exhibition. The piece is expected to fetch at least $1,000 at Sotheby's.
Super lamp, 1981, lacquered fiberglass, metal, rubber, by Martine Bedin Martine Bedin designed this playful lamp so it could be pulled along by its cord like a small dog. At the invitation of Ettore Sottsass, she became one of the youngest members of the Memphis Group. A prototype of the Super lamp was included in the first Memphis exhibition. The piece is expected to fetch at least $1,000 at Sotheby's.
Brionvega Radiophonograph, model RR 126, c. 1966, wood, laminate, polycarbonate, painted aluminum, by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni One of David Bowie's personal record players, this 1966 design by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni is estimated to sell for between about $1,000 and $1,500 at auction at Sotheby's. The modular structure of the high-fi stereo allows users to move the speaker cubes to the side (as shown) or stack them.
Brionvega Radiophonograph, model RR 126, c. 1966, wood, laminate, polycarbonate, painted aluminum, by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni One of David Bowie's personal record players, this 1966 design by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni is estimated to sell for between about $1,000 and $1,500 at auction at Sotheby's. The modular structure of the high-fi stereo allows users to move the speaker cubes to the side (as shown) or stack them.