S otheby’s sale, The Midas Touch Online, brings to auction a glittering array of golden and gold-themed objects, from jewellery to watches, film posters, and even illuminated manuscripts. Gold has captivated mankind for millennia with its beauty as much as its value, motivated adventures and exploration, marked the rise and fall of empires, and been worked by artisans into objects both sacred and secular. So iconic is it, that as many of the objects in the sale suggest, even depictions of gold can lend objects a special, almost magical quality.
Two of the lots in the sale carry this idea of gold as something more than just a marker of material value directly into the 20th century, and commemorate moments in the career of one of the most influential figures ever to emerge in contemporary culture: David Bowie. These lots include two of Bowie’s record awards: for his most successful album ever, the 1983 Let’s Dance which went on to sell 10 million copies worldwide; and for his 16th studio album Tonight, released a year later in 1984.
Also included in the sale is an award from Bowie's label to the music press, as a thank you for their support during five years of success. This lot is dated 1976, and includes images of several of Bowie’s best known albums, from Space Oddity to Station to Station. Together, the awards tell the story of Bowie’s successes, the moments when inspiration and commercial triumph went hand in hand, their golden discs marking both material and artistic merit.
These pieces follow on from Sotheby’s 2016 sale of David Bowie’s personal art collections, which can be viewed here.
CLICK HERE to view the full sale catalogue.
