A number of jewels belonging to late Queen singer Freddie Mercury sold for multiple times their high estimates at Sotheby’s London this week, including a bangle he wore in the band’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” video.
The auction house saw “rapid-fire” bidding for the silver snake bangle, which exceeded estimates within the first few seconds, Sotheby’s said Thursday. Setting a record for a piece of jewelry belonging to a rockstar, the bracelet brought in $881,717 — nearly 100 times its high estimate. The previous record was for John Lennon’s leather and bead talisman, which fetched GBP 295,000 ($372,379) in 2008.
In total, the sale — which also included the singer’s piano, handwritten lyrics, and a historic crown and cloak ensemble — garnered $15.4 million, with 100% of the lots finding buyers. A record 2,000 people from 61 countries registered to bid.
BRON: Rapaport 7-9-2023
