Christie’s Handbags Online: The New York Edit Totals: $3,331,818 Setting Two New World Auction Records

Christie’s is delighted to announce the results of Handbags Online: The New York Edit totalling $3,331,818. The auction was 92% sold by lot and 98% against low estimate. The sale saw global participation with 42% of buyers being new to Christie’s.  

Two world auction records were set during the sale. The first one was for the Hermès Sterling Silver Mini Kelly which sold for $214,200, a world auction record for the model. The second one was achieved by the Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama, Limited Edition Yellow & Black Monogram Leather Pumpkin Bag which fetched $44,100, quadrupling it’s low estimate and establishing a new world record price not only for the model but for any Louis Vuitton handbag to sell at auction. As of today, Christie’s holds the record prices for any Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci handbags to sell at auction. .

Paige Rubin, Head of Sale, Handbags, Americas says: “Exceptionally fine and well-crafted handbags fetched fantastic prices in our sale. Clients demonstrated a consistent appetite for very special handbags which resonate with their personal collecting tastes. The Sterling Silver Kelly was produced in very limited numbers by Hermes, and the record auction price for the model set today is a testament to the enduring value of rare luxuries. We were delighted achieve an auction record for a Louis Vuitton handbag with the Kusama Pumpkin, which struck a chord with Christie’s loyal art collectors and handbag collectors alike. This season, we also had the special honor of selling an extremely rare 133-year-old Louis Vuitton trunk on behalf of a direct descendent of its original purchaser. It remained in his home in Pawtucket, Rhode Island for a century before making its way to Christie’s, and our successful sale at over 400% of the low estimate which illustrates the wonderful stories luxury creations can tell—and the value they can hold—when they are carefully produced to last generations.”

The sale featured a curated assemblage of the most rare and exceptional handbags from brands such as Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior. Additional top lots included a Hermès Matte Béton Alligator, White Togo, Swift & Sombrero, Orange H & Craie Swift & Bleu Brume Chèvre Leather Neige Faubourg Sellier Birkin 20 With Palladium Hardware which realized $189,000, a Hermès Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 With Palladium Hardware which sold for $113,400. Outstanding results were also achived for a Louis Vuitton Brown Tan Patterned Stenciled Canvas & Wood Malle Courrier, circa 1890 which sold for $44,100 against its low estimate of $10,000.