A Jeff Koons sculpture set an auction record for the artist when it sold tonight for 12.9 million pounds ($25.8 million) at Christie’s International in London.
The 11-foot, 2-inch-high chromium steel “Balloon Flower (Magenta)” had been expected to fetch about 12 million pounds ($23.9 million), Christie’s said. The sculpture was bought by an unidentified telephone bidder.
The work was made in 1995-2000 as part of the artist’s “Celebration” series of high-tech sculptures inspired by childhood memories. Four other versions of “Balloon Flower” exist in four different colors, the auction house said. The seller was Dallas-based collector Howard Rachofsky, who had been guaranteed a minimum price, Christie’s said.
The artist’s previous auction record was $23.6 million for “Hanging Heart (Magenta/Gold)”, which was sold at Sotheby’s in New York last November. Sales prices include commissions.