An Unconventional Auction of David Lynch’s Personal Belongings
On June 18, a unique collection of personal items belonging to filmmaker David Lynch will be auctioned in Los Angeles. This extraordinary event is organized in collaboration between Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies. It offers a rare opportunity to explore a different side of this creative visionary.
Auction Details and Nature of the Items
The auction will be accessible through three formats: online bidding, phone participation, and in-person attendance. It features nearly 450 items from Lynch’s personal archive. These range from rare collectibles that reflect his artistic journey to domestic objects. Collectively, they shed light on a different facet of his personality—offering a multi-dimensional glimpse into the late director’s life.
Art Pieces and Furniture Reflecting Lynch’s Unique Taste
The auction includes a selection of items that capture David Lynch’s personality and artistic interests. Among them is a personalized director’s chair bearing his signature. It has already attracted bids reaching $27,000. This chair isn’t just a piece of furniture—it stands as a symbol of his creativity and influence on the film industry.
Twin Peaks Icons and Classic Lynch Films
In addition to the chair, the auction features a red curtain and a chevron-patterned carpet inspired by the iconic TV series Twin Peaks. These highlight the mysterious and symbolic essence that defines Lynch’s work. Also on display is the original 35mm film print of Eraserhead (1977), considered a pivotal milestone in his cinematic career.
Lynch’s Artistic Flair in Furniture Design
David Lynch’s creativity extended beyond filmmaking into furniture design. Among his possessions is a red Womb Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. The auction also includes a vintage Boomerang-style sofa, believed to have appeared in his enigmatic film Lost Highway (1997). Both pieces reflect another dimension of his personal aesthetic and his engagement with art and design.
Everyday Household Items: A Glimpse into Lynch’s Daily Life
Beyond the rare and artistic collectibles, the auction also features a range of everyday household items that were part of David Lynch’s personal life. These pieces offer a unique window into aspects of his daily routine that may not have been widely known to the public.
Familiar Tools with a Distinctive Spirit
Among these items are three Mr. Coffee machines, which might resonate with special agent Dale Cooper—the beloved character from Twin Peaks. There’s also a handheld camera wrapped in snakeskin, an artistic nod that may pay tribute to Nicolas Cage’s iconic snakeskin jacket in Wild at Heart.
Hobbies and Diverse Equipment
Additionally, the auction includes musical instruments and carpentry tools, showcasing Lynch’s wide-ranging interests beyond filmmaking. Also up for auction is a pair of the director’s personal wingtip shoes—an emblem of his distinctive identity and style.
A Creative Reflection on the Life of Director David Lynch
These personal items offer a window into the mind and spirit of David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker who passed away on January 16. Each object reveals glimpses of his life and thoughts, helping us better understand the nature of his surreal and compelling art.
In a 2010 interview with Wallpaper magazine, for which Lynch served as guest editor, he said:
“I make things that are disturbing because my ideas come from our world, and our world is filled with negativity and absurdity. I love absurdity.”
These words capture the essence of his art—one that engages with the contradictions of reality. It blends darkness and strangeness in his unique portrayal of the world.
