NEW YORK.- The July 17-18 auction of the estate of Mar韆 F閘ix: La Do馻 at Christie’s New York totaled $7,299,640, far surpassing the pre-sale estimate, and setting six artist records. Fans of La Do馻 paid tribute to the international movie star, art collector and humanitarian over the course of the two-day sale, as auctioneers fielded lively bids from an international audience, with active bidding in the room, on the phone, and a strong presence from online buyers.

Fran鏾is Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s Europe, said “The Mar韆 F閘ix magic ran through the salesroom for two entire days, as her extravagant and exhilarating collection was being wooed and coveted by collectors worldwide. She was a genuine star, a legend pur sang, and although she finished her acting career in the 1960s, the spectacular and spirited international response to this sale made clear that she had lost none of her beguiling appeal. She also was one of the great personalities of the 20th century and as a close friend of hers, I was deeply honored and touched to be an auctioneer during this memorable sale.”

Portraits of La Do馻 dominated the top lots, and the demand for Leonora Carrington was feverish with four of her works selling in the top ten lots. A world auction record was set for Carrington’s Sue駉 de Sirenas, a folding triptych depicting Mar韆 as three mermaids, which fetched $609,600. Antoine Tzapoff’s, Amazona, also set a world auction record at $66,000, in his portrait of Mar韆 riding a rhino. Artist records were also achieved for Stanislas Lepri, Chavez Marion, Tao Izzo, and Bridget Tichenor.

Diego Rivera’s Estudio de Mar韆 F閘ix (Madre), a charcoal portrait of Mar韆 holding a baby in her arms, was the third highest lot at $352,000. The portrait was commissioned by the film producer of R韔 Escondido, and Mar韆 hung the exquisite drawing in her Mexico City bedroom.

High prices were also realized for European furniture, porcelain, couture clothes, and jewelry. An exceptional price was paid for a brown suede embroidered Herm鑣 sleeveless long vest coat, which totaled $19,200, exceeding its low estimate by 12 times. A set of gold bangel bracelets set with diamonds spelling “Do馻 Do駃ta,” “Bonita Mar韆,” and “Puma Pumita,” also smashed expectations and sold for $48,000, more than 8 times its pre-sale low estimate, owing tribute to the fashion maven who once earned the title, “One of the World’s Best Dressed Women.”