Title:
Tortoiseshell Grooming Brush from the Personal Collection of Andy Warhol — Sotheby’s “The Andy Warhol Collection” (1988), with COA from Luke Pascal & John Reznikoff

Description:
This is a personal grooming brush once owned by Andy Warhol, featuring a richly toned tortoiseshell-patterned handle and back with densely set natural bristles. The brush has a gently curved, ergonomic form, tapering toward a rounded handle, and exhibits a warm amber-and-brown mottled finish characteristic of classic tortoiseshell-style dressing table accessories.

Affixed to the reverse is the original Sotheby’s auction label, handwritten and reading: “Andy Warhol / Lot 1288 / Sotheby,” directly linking the piece to the landmark 1988 dispersal of Warhol’s estate. The back of the brush also bears an elegant gold monogram at center, adding to its refined presentation.

The brush remains in strong vintage condition, with visible but expected surface wear consistent with age and prior use. The bristles remain intact and full, and the tortoiseshell-style surface retains its luster, preserving the object’s aesthetic appeal and tactile presence.

Historical Context:
This brush originates from the historic 1988 Sotheby’s auction, The Andy Warhol Collection, held in New York following Warhol’s death in 1987. The sale offered an unprecedented and intimate look into the private world of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Andy Warhol (1928–1987), the leading figure of the Pop Art movement, transformed modern art through his explorations of celebrity, consumer goods, branding, and repetition. Yet beyond his public persona and iconic works—such as his Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup series—Warhol was an avid and discerning collector. His townhouse was filled with decorative arts, antiques, and personal objects that reflected both refined taste and fascination with surface, glamour, and identity.

Personal grooming objects such as this brush offer a rare and tangible connection to Warhol’s daily life. Known for his carefully curated appearance—most notably his silver wigs and signature style—Warhol understood image as both art and persona. Objects like this dressing-table brush bridge the gap between the artist’s constructed public image and his private routines, making them especially compelling artifacts from his estate. The 1988 Sotheby’s sale was itself a cultural milestone, widely covered in the press and attended by collectors, curators, and celebrities, marking the posthumous dispersal of Warhol’s eclectic possessions.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
This artifact is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Luke Pascal and noted autograph authenticator John Reznikoff, documenting its provenance as property from the 1988 Sotheby’s sale of The Andy Warhol Collection (Lot 1288).

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
A deeply personal and visually striking artifact, this tortoiseshell grooming brush represents more than a utilitarian object—it is an intimate relic from the private world of Andy Warhol. With its original Sotheby’s label, elegant monogram, and direct connection to the celebrated 1988 estate auction, it stands as a rare opportunity to acquire a tactile piece of 20th-century art history and a genuine fragment of Warhol’s curated life.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.

---