Record-breaking YSL art auction shrugs off crisis

By James Mackenzie

PARIS (Reuters) - The auction of Yves Saint Laurent's monumental art collection ended on Wednesday having broken a string of records, defied the Chinese government and raised more than 370 million euros ($470 million).

The late fashion designer's collection, built up over five decades with his partner Pierre Berge, had been described as one of the most important in private hands and the auction attracted interest from collectors and spectators all over the world.

The final total of 373.5 million euros broke estimates of 300 million euros but Berge, who is donating the proceeds to charity and medical research, said he was not surprised by the sale's success even in the worst global recession for decades.

"Despite people telling me I should wait two or three years for the crisis to calm down, I decided to go ahead with the sale and I think I was right," said Berge, who decided to sell the collection after his partner's death last year.

"When you offer buyers works of quality, the buyers are there," he told reporters after the last of 733 lots had gone under the hammer in Paris.

The final evening saw two historic bronze sculptures, looted from the Summer Palace in Beijing during the 19th century Opium Wars and claimed by China, sold for a total of more than 31 million euros, well above the estimate of 8-10 million each.

The collection ranged from paintings by 20th century Spanish master Pablo Picasso to 17th century German silverware, ancient Roman sculptures, Chinese bronzes, Art Nouveau furniture and 18th century cameo brooches.

A 1911 painting of a vase of cowslips on a blue tablecloth by French painter Henri Matisse broke the record for a Matisse, selling for nearly 36 million euros on Monday, the opening day, and setting the tone for the rest of the sale.