Lauren Bacall’s art collection goes to auction at Bonhams New York next month, including works by Henry Moore, David Hockney, Jim Dine, and Richard Avedon, as well as jewelry, tribal art, and decorative arts. Also featured will be prints by John James Audubon and paintings by Noël Coward (see Noël Coward’s Art Collection and Paintings Hit the Block at Christie’s).

This will be the second auction of works from Bacall’s estate, following a November sale at Bonhams that saw two Moore bronzes collectively fetch $1.34 million (see Lauren Bacall’s Art Collection Heads to Auction). The actress died this past August at the age of 89 (see Remembering Lauren Bacall, Screen Goddess and Art Collector).

Lauren Bacall and Henry Moore.
Photo via Art Daily.

Moore is expected to again be among the highlights of the 750-lot sale, with six bronze maquettes by the British sculptor. Presale estimates for the pieces range from $12,000 to $60,000. Bacall began collecting his work in the 1950s. When they met in 1976, she called it “a high point of my life” and the “realization of a dream.” It was also the beginning of a long friendship.

The sale will feature a series of Graham’s bronze female nudes that Bacall referred to as her “girls.” The American artist was married to actress Anjelica Huston, a good friend of Bacall’s.

Bacall’s jewelry collection is also up for grabs, with pieces by designer Jean Schlumberger and an 18-carat yellow gold camel brooch embellished with enamel, rose diamonds, and a large pearl that the actress commissioned from British jeweler Elizabeth Gage.

The auction will not be the only chance to ogle Bacall’s belongings: later this year, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology will present an exhibition of 700 or so of her garments (see NYC Museum Plans Lauren Bacall Exhibition).

The Lauren Bacall Collection will be on view at Bonhams London, 101 New Bond Street, February 15–19, before traveling to Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Paris, and New York, where the auction will be held on March 31 and April 1.