PORTRAIT OF A LADY: THE ESTATE OF MRS. ASTOR AT SOTHEBYS

Mrs. Astor by Cecil Beaton, 954
She lived to be 105. And live she did. What a lady. The estate of the inimitable, hugely generous New Yorker Mrs. Brooke Astor goes on the block at Sotheby's September 24th and 25th. The catalogs have sold out. The furnishings, art and decorative accessories from her 14 room, 778 Park Avenue duplex and country homes of this epic philanthropist and pillar of society will be attended by many that want a piece of history. Parish Hadley designed her apartment, which includes the Hadley-designed library, the most wonderful lacquered room, which is now in the canon of great room history. Mark Hampton also worked on her residence.
When looking at the wonderful assortment of stuff, it is hard not to notice her love of animals, especially her beloved dachshunds, as there are lots of paintings and sculptures around the theme. For such a grande dame, her interiors were formal but cozy, and many chintz-covered chairs filled her rooms.  Fine French and English antiques, export porcelain, and truly stunning paintings and historically-important mementos will surface in the sale. It's nice to think that such an incredible collection will now find many new homes, to enrich and enhance people's lives with their beauty and elegance.  Pamela Fiori shared a heart-warming portrait of Mrs. Astor for Sotheby's At Auction Magazine. When asked the secret to her longevity, she responded, “an optimist, be curious, read every night, don’t meet the same people all the time (sooner or later, they become lazy, boring and repeat themselves), don’t be a cynic, don’t envy or be jealous…spend some time in solitude in order to reflect, meet different people (young people), travel, and, if you are rich, adhere to the Gospel of ‘The Joy of Giving.’
The proceeds from the sale will benefit her favorite charities, which is just what she wanted.

Photos courtesy of Sothebys

Her New York Living Room

The French mirror is exquisite

This screen is sure to fetch a big number

The dog paintings give such a warm feeling and personal touch to her home

Get ready for a major return to chintz. It's back in a big way

Her house's Memory Room with photos and mementos from her long life

A reading room with simple blue bookshelves

Her poolhouse, with cheery yellow and white striped upholstery looks like it would have been a perfect perch on a hot summer day

I knew I loved bamboo chairs, they add a casual feel to any interior

Pale hues in a living room are soft and femme

What do I have my eye on? This gold faux bois box. I love this moment.

 A shot from a country room with the prettiest painting of a white flower arrangement

A watercolor rendering of the living room in her country home

The room that leaves me speechless

Trimmed out in brass, what is chicer?

Owning a piece of history is going to be on everyone's minds as they raise their paddles

Accessories placed just so look great together

The palest of blue strie wallpaper balances flower paintings

Hello, chintz

 

 Chinoiserie Cut and Glass Mirror Mounted tole six light chandelier, 20th Century

John Frederick Lewis painting A Memlook Bey, Egypt 1869

Freddy Dachshund by Thomas Woodruff

Daschund figurines

 

A Chinese export pieced bone model of a pagoda, 19th Century

A large pair of Chinese Famille-Vert glazed biscuit figures of Buddhist Lions Kangxi Period

 

A pair of Chinese Export reverse-painted mirrors circa 1770

 

A Louis XV white-painted and carved low chair circa 1740

A set of 34 Fornasetti Porcelain Malachite Ground Plates, 1955

A pair of Regency style cream and green painted pagoda-form standing bookcases

 Oh the places you will go, or wish you were going with her 16-piece set of T. Anthony luggage.