Even in death, David Bowie is setting records. Two months ago, a majority of David Bowie’s art collection went up for auction in London at Sotheby’s, one of the world’s largest and most famous auction houses. Sotheby’s specializes in fine and decorative art, which made it the perfect auction house to handle the sale of David Bowie’s finest artwork. The final numbers from the three-part auction that started on November 10 were astounding.

The art collection sold for 24.3 million pounds ($30.5 million), which was more than double the high estimate Sotheby’s expected the collection to bring. Bowie’s design collection sold for an additional $ 10.8 million the day after. There were 47 lots in total, and 56 artists saw all-time highs in sales on their artwork. The collection that was sold at Sotheby’s represents about 65 percent of David Bowie’s complete collection. The rest of his collection will stay with his family and estate.

Here were some highlights of the collection up for auction that featured some of the best contemporary and modern art pieces in the world:

• Jean-Michael Basquiat’s Air Power
• Harold Gilman’s Interior
• Peter Lanyon’s Trevalgan
• Henry Moore’s Family Group
• William Scott’s Girl Seated at a Table
• David Bomberg’s Sunrise in the Mountains, Picos De Asturia’s
• Frank Auerbach’s Head of Gerda Boehm
• Marcel Duchamp’s With Hidden Noise

Jean-Michael Basquiat’s Air Power alone sold for 7,093,000 pounds ($8,817,308), making it the most expensive piece of the collection up for auction. Many other British artists and others exceeded estimates several times over. The auction event not only shone a light on the prestige of David Bowie’s art collection but the public desire to own a piece of art once purchased by Bowie himself. The late artist died on January 10^th of this year.

At Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty, we’re excited for the success of this auction event. The name Sotheby’s has always been associated with luxury and fine living, and we are proud to continue that tradition by offering the best in real estate in the Jersey Shore. Contact us or check out our latest listings today to find the home of your dreams.