Bonhams Celebrates Chanel's Legacy with Triple Auction Event This September

Bonhams is slated to honor the indelible legacy of Chanel this September, orchestrating a trio of auctions across New York, Paris, and London. These events will showcase a meticulously curated selection of the esteemed French maison's creations, encompassing both haute couture and fine jewelry.

The series commences with the “Chanel: From the Vault II” sale in New York, running from September 7th to 17th. A highlight is a striking gold-tone bird cage minaudière, a piece from Virginie Viard’s Métiers d’Art 2020 collection, adorned with simulated turquoise and various crystals, with an estimated value ranging from $20,000 to $30,000. Following this, Paris will host the “Chanel From the Vault Paris Edition” from September 14th to 24th, presenting approximately 400 lots. This collection spans designs from Karl Lagerfeld’s tenure in the 1990s to more recent works by Viard. Among the notable items is a white tweed jacket from the fall/winter 2025 ready-to-wear collection, embellished with gold Lurex and multicolored mini pearls, estimated between €2,000 and €3,000. The Parisian auction also includes a Lagerfeld-era brooch featuring rhinestones and turquoise-colored paste, valued at €700 to €900.

Concluding this extensive tribute, London’s “Designer Handbags and Fashion” sale, scheduled from September 21st to October 1st, will heavily emphasize Chanel jewelry. A private collection of costume pieces, spanning from the 1960s to the 1990s, will be featured. A standout item is a Robert Goossens for Chanel Haute Couture filigree snake bangle from approximately 1960, detailed with graduated filigree caps and green glass eyes, expected to fetch between $13,000 and $20,000. Additionally, the sale will offer a pair of Chanel Fine Jewelry 18k white gold and diamond Comète Géode earrings from 2024, a homage to Gabrielle Chanel’s seminal 1932 “Bijoux de Diamants” exhibition, with an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000.

Chanel, established in 1910, has been shaped by the creative visions of three directors over the past four decades: Karl Lagerfeld, Virginie Viard, and the current artistic director, Matthieu Blazy. These auctions not only celebrate the brand's rich heritage but also highlight the continuous evolution of its iconic style and craftsmanship, reinforcing its status as a timeless symbol of luxury and innovation in the fashion world.